{"id":"hint-format-symmetry","text":"`_write_hint_file` and `_load_hint_file` must use identical binary layouts: `[HINT_FORMAT header (24 bytes)][key_len uint32 (4 bytes)][key_bytes (variable)]` per entry; any change to one without the other breaks backward compatibility.","truth_value":"IN","source":"entries/2026/05/28/hash-index-storage-bitcask-_write_hint_file.md","source_url":"","source_hash":"","justifications":[],"dependents":[],"metadata":{},"explanation":{"steps":[{"node":"hint-format-symmetry","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}