{"id":"hint-written-only-during-compaction","text":"`_write_hint_file` is called exclusively from `compact()`, never during normal `put`/`delete` operations; hint files only exist for compacted (merged) data files.","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-written-only-during-compaction","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}