Ask HN: Simplest word to describe key/value store?

1 pointspandatigox3y ago8 comments

I am currently developing an app that uses customised key-value stores, but am struggling to come up with a simple way to describe this concept.

In the app, users can add custom meta data to objects. For example, a 'restaurant' object can contain metadata with <Rating, Int>, <Website, URL>, <Menu, Photo> and so on. Other another example would be a 'walking goal' object with custom meta data of <Time Taken, Date> and <Steps, Int>

I'm thinking of words like 'properties' or 'attributes', but I think the word/concept can be simplified further.

Thanks in advance!

8 comments

davismwfl3y ago

Building is easy, naming is hard. In this case though, you're overthinking it. Pick one and move forward. Attributes is super common to use in these scenarios. Properties is also common and wouldn't be out of place.

I like to always build a project dictionary early on, as it just is helpful for everyone coming along later, and also if concepts change over time the original intent is clear. So like in this case, I'd just pick "attributes" and then have a markdown file or wiki etc that has common terms, and attributes would be described with examples. A quick 1-2 sentence write up is way easier then trying to spend a lot of time picking the perfect word/phrase.

mtmail3y ago

In the OpenStreetMap data schema that's called 'tags'. Postgresql calls it 'hstore'. I've seen 'tuple' and 'set' used but overall it's easier for the reader to stick to key-value or name-value I think.

raxxorraxor3y ago

Some languages use "dictionary".

thesuperbigfrog3y ago

Details

bob10293y ago

Dictionary

cyanydeez3y ago

Tags.

alpaca1283y ago

Named value?

orbz3y ago

Details?