Meaning
A data structure provides a sequential record where new information is added to the end and existing entries remain permanent. An append-only ledger prevents the deletion or modification of data once it enters the system. The structure ensures that the history of transactions remains intact over time.
Sequence Integrity
Data entries follow a strict chronological order that preserves the original state of every transaction. An append-only ledger creates a chain of evidence that auditors verify by replaying the sequence from the start.
Structural Constraint
The design of the storage system prohibits any operation other than the addition of new blocks. In an append-only ledger, the write pointer only moves forward. The forward-only write operation simplifies the recovery process following a system failure because the most recent valid state is always the last successful write.
It eliminates the risk of silent data corruption through unauthorized edits.
Verification Protocol
Proof of the record relies on the inability of any participant to alter the past without breaking cryptographic links. Each new entry in the append-only ledger typically includes a hash of the previous state. Cryptographic linking ensures that any change to an old record invalidates all following records.
The cost of maintaining such a system is the constant growth of storage requirements.
