manifestid

Manifestid, short for manifest identifier, is a term used in software packaging, content management, and data catalogs to denote a unique reference assigned to a manifest. A manifest is a file or data structure that describes a set of resources, metadata, and sometimes dependencies or provenance for a collection of artifacts. The manifestid serves as a stable handle that allows systems and users to locate, verify, or reference that specific manifest independently of the files it describes.

Generation and forms of manifestid vary by ecosystem. In many systems, the manifestid is a cryptographic digest or hash of the manifest’s contents, making it content-addressable: identical manifests yield the same id. In other contexts, manifestid may be a universally unique identifier (UUID) or a registry-assigned token that is stable across updates or releases. Some schemas expose a field named manifestId or manifest_id to store this value alongside the manifest data.

Uses and purposes. Manifest identifiers support reproducible builds, auditing, and provenance by tying artifacts to a specific manifest. They enable efficient caching and incremental updates, since clients can request or validate a manifest directly via its id. In distributed registries and repositories, the manifestid functions as a pointer used in APIs, logs, and indexing systems to retrieve the manifest and verify its integrity.

Context and caveats. There is no universal standard for manifestid across all platforms; the exact meaning, format, and generation method depend on the system or schema in use. When working with a particular tool or registry, consult its documentation to understand how manifest identifiers are created, stored, and referenced. See also: content digest, manifest, provenance, and registry APIs.