playid

Playid is a term used in information technology and data systems to denote a unique identifier assigned to a particular "play" unit within a software environment. The exact meaning of playid varies by context, but it generally refers to a handle that allows systems to reference a specific instance of activity, session, or playback in a consistent and traceable way.

In theater operations and ticketing software, a playid can identify a specific performance of a production within a repertoire. It helps link schedules, seating data, ticket records, and program notes to a single show instance. In digital media and streaming platforms, playid is used to tag a particular playback event, enabling analytics, recommendations, and quality-of-service monitoring for a single video or audio play. In online gaming and simulations, a playid may identify a match, arena session, or simulated run, aiding matchmaking, telemetry, and post-game analytics. In logging and telemetry, playid can serve as a cross-domain reference that ties together events triggered during a single play cycle.

Common formats for playids include UUIDs (globally unique identifiers), numeric sequences, or composite keys that incorporate timestamps, environment codes, and user or session identifiers. Generation methods vary: servers may emit fresh IDs, clients may supply IDs for offline work, and some systems embed metadata within the identifier itself.

In database design, playids are typically indexed and treated as keys for fast lookups and joins, and care is taken to avoid exposing sensitive information through the identifier. The term is not standardized and should be interpreted in the context of the specific system or domain where it is used.