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| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 13 |
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@@ -28,6 +28,19 @@ All other files (such as html) are baked into the binary. It is planned to offer statically linked to musl versions in the future. This is possible thanks to the `diet` templates (inspired by pugjs) provided by vibe-d, which are computed at compile-time. +### Stable IDs +`brpaste` IDs are not the shortest. +What they are, however, is stable. +What does that mean? +When you upload something to `brpaste`, the ID is generated through Murmurhash3 32 bit, and converted into a string of letters and symbols using base64. +Murmurhash3 is suitable for lookups, so collision are sufficiently unlikely within the lifetime of your paste. +However, if you upload the same paste twice, the ID will stay the same. +The memory usage will not increase. +This unlocks a few interesting use-cases (e.g not needing to keep around an open tab of a paste - just paste it again, you'll get the original link back). +The bitsize of the ID is 32 bits, which translates to roughly 6 base64 "digits". +This may not be the shortest, but it is short enough to memorize in one go (see: magic 7 of human working memory; approximated to more likely 6 if letters are involved). +As such, the disadvantage is rather minimal, while the advantage is a nice-to-have, consistent, and cheap (murmurhash3 is fast, and there's no need to do things like keep a counter around). + ### Other Utilities For server-side helpers and utilities (such as openrc scripts, systemd unit files, and anything else of the sort), see the `server/` directory. For client-side helpers and utilities (such as a `sprunge(1)`-like script, an `anypaste` plugin, and anything else of the sort), see the `client/` directory. |