varvalx

varvalx is a conceptual data structure and accompanying library designed to encode and manipulate associations between variables and their values. It represents data as a collection of variable-value pairs, optionally organized into hierarchical namespaces or scopes. The term is commonly used in theoretical discussions and in illustrative code examples to examine data encoding, validation, and serialization issues.

Origins and usage

The word varvalx does not correspond to a formal standard or widely adopted specification. It tends to appear in teaching materials, design discussions, and library demonstrations as a compact way to discuss variable-to-value mappings, type tagging, and scope management without tying the concept to a specific programming language or platform.

Structure and semantics

A varvalx entry consists of a variable identifier (which can be a simple name or a dotted path for nested scopes), a value with an explicit type tag, and optional metadata such as source, timestamp, or constraints. Values range from primitive types (numbers, strings, booleans) to composite structures (arrays, maps) and can support nested varvalx structures to express scoped or namespaced data. A varvalx container can represent a full document, a subset view, or a patch against another varvalx instance.

Operations and interoperability

Common operations include create, set, get, delete, and merge of entries. Path-based access enables precise updates, while validation mechanisms ensure type conformance and constraint satisfaction. Serialization targets include JSON, YAML, and XML, facilitating data interchange and configuration workflows. Diffing and patching capabilities support change tracking and incremental updates.

Applications and limitations

Varvalx is primarily used as a teaching aid, a lightweight model for configuration data, or a mock data format in tests and demonstrations. It is not a formal standard, and implementations vary in syntax and feature sets.