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Rename 'landmark checkpoints' to 'landmarks' - #126

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davidben merged 1 commit into
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lvalenta/rename-landmark
Aug 21, 2025
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Rename 'landmark checkpoints' to 'landmarks'#126
davidben merged 1 commit into
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lvalenta/rename-landmark

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"Landmarks" serve a different role than "checkpoints", so rename to reflect that. In tlog-tiles/static-ct-api, "checkpoints" are signed tree heads/root hashes to summarize the state of the tree. "Landmarks", on the other hand, represent tree sizes (not even tree heads) and trust anchor IDs and are used for coordination amongst parties in the ecosystem. (As a bonus, "landmark sequence" is less of a mouthful than "landmark checkpoint sequence").

Clarify that landmarks don't necessarily need to be aligned with checkpoint tree sizes, and technically could be allocated at any tree sizes less or equal to the latest checkpoint tree size (although not sure why you'd do this).

Also clarify that unexpired entries don't necessarily need to be covered by a landmark subtree, as they can be between the last landmark subtree and the log's latest checkpoint.

"Landmarks" serve a different role than "checkpoints", so rename to
reflect that.  In tlog-tiles/static-ct-api, "checkpoints" are signed
tree heads/root hashes to summarize the state of the tree. "Landmarks",
on the other hand, represent tree sizes (not even tree heads) and trust
anchor IDs and are used for coordination amongst parties in the
ecosystem.  (As a bonus, "landmark sequence" is less of a mouthful than
"landmark checkpoint sequence").

Clarify that landmarks don't necessarily need to be aligned with
checkpoint tree sizes, and technically could be allocated at any tree
sizes less or equal to the latest checkpoint tree size (although not
sure why you'd do this).

Also clarify that unexpired entries don't necessarily need to be covered
by a landmark subtree, as they can be between the last landmark subtree
and the log's latest checkpoint.
@lukevalenta
lukevalenta requested a review from davidben as a code owner August 21, 2025 16:44
@davidben
davidben merged commit cd78d43 into main Aug 21, 2025
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Comment thread draft-davidben-tls-merkle-tree-certs.md
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