# InterPlanetary Linked Data

> data model for decentralized/content-addressed systems such as IPFS

**Wikidata**: [Q129727033](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129727033)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/interplanetary-linked-data

## Summary
InterPlanetary Linked Data (IPLD) is a data model specifically designed for decentralized and content-addressed systems such as the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). As an open-source project from the IPFS community, IPLD provides a standardized way to organize data using Merkle DAGs to store and retrieve information in distributed networks.

## Key Facts
- InterPlanetary Linked Data is classified as both a data model and open-source software
- It is used by the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) as its core data structure
- IPLD has aliases including IPLD and Interplanetary Linked Data
- It is used by Web3 infrastructure and applications
- The technology uses codecs and content-addressable storage mechanisms
- Its official website is https://ipld.io/ in English
- IPLD implements connections as links between data blocks in its model
- The project enables data to be retrieved based on content rather than location

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of InterPlanetary Linked Data?
A: InterPlanetary Linked Data serves as a data model that standardizes how data is organized and accessed in decentralized systems, particularly content-addressed systems like IPFS. It allows data to be addressed by its content rather than location, making it suitable for distributed networks.

### Q: How does IPLD relate to IPFS?
A: IPLD is the fundamental data model used by the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). IPFS implements IPLD's data structure to enable its content-addressed file storage and retrieval capabilities, providing the underlying framework for how IPFS organizes and locates data.

### Q: What makes IPLD different from traditional data models?
A: IPLD differs from traditional data models by being specifically designed for decentralized, content-addressed systems. Instead of relying on centralized storage and location-based addressing, IPLD uses content hashes as identifiers and implements Merkle DAGs (Directed Acyclic Graphs) to create verifiable data structures.

### Q: Is InterPlanetary Linked Data proprietary or open source?
A: IPLD is open-source software. It's a community project from the IPFS community that anyone can use and redistribute with permissive licensing that provides access to the original source code.

## Why It Matters
InterPlanetary Linked Data represents a fundamental building block for decentralized web infrastructure, addressing critical challenges in data permanence and accessibility in distributed networks. By providing a standardized data model for content-addressed systems, IPLD enables the creation of applications that don't rely on centralized servers or traditional location-based addressing. This technology underpins Web3 applications, where data integrity and decentralized access are paramount. The content-addressable nature of IPLD also ensures data immutability and verifiability, addressing issues of data corruption and tampering common in centralized systems. As digital infrastructure increasingly moves toward decentralized models, IPLD's role becomes more significant in enabling a more robust, permanent, and accessible internet.

## Notable For
- Being the fundamental data model powering the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
- Implementing content-addressed storage rather than traditional location-based addressing
- Creating standardized structures for decentralized data using Merkle DAGs
- Serving as a critical component in Web3 infrastructure development
- Providing open-source licensing that allows free use and redistribution

## Body

### Core Definition
InterPlanetary Linked Data (IPLD) is a data model specifically designed for decentralized and content-addressed systems. It serves as the foundation for how data is structured, addressed, and interconnected in distributed networks, particularly in systems like IPFS where data permanence and decentralized access are essential.

### Technical Implementation
- Uses Merkle DAGs (Directed Acyclic Graphs) as its primary data structure
- Implements content-addressable storage where data is identified by its cryptographic hash
- Employs codecs to encode and decode data in standardized formats
- Establishes connections between data blocks through links that create relationships
- Ensures data integrity through cryptographic verification

### Integration with Other Systems
- Core component of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
- Used as part of Web3 infrastructure and applications
- Functions within the broader IPFS ecosystem of open-source projects
- Provides standardized interfaces for data exchange between decentralized systems

### Community and Licensing
- Open-source project from the IPFS community
- Available under permissive licensing that allows free use and redistribution
- Source code is accessible to anyone
- Community-driven development model
- Official resources available at https://ipld.io/ in English

## References

1. [Source](https://blog.ipfs.tech/what-is-ipld/)
2. [Source](https://ipld.io/)
3. [What is IPLD Anyway? - Mauve Signweaver](https://yewtu.be/watch?v=J_Q6hF_lPiM)
4. [Source](https://research.protocol.ai/tutorials/resnetlab-on-tour/ipld/)
5. [Source](https://ipld.io/docs/intro/primer/)
6. [ResNetLab: Elective Course Module - InterPlanetary Linked Data (IPLD)](https://invidious.nerdvpn.de/watch?v=Sgf6j_mCdjI)
7. [Source](https://ipfs.io/ipfs/Qmazvovg6Sic3m9igZMKoAPjkiVZsvbWWc8ZvgjjK1qMss/sketches/ipld_intro.html)