A video identifier is a database ID that lets services refer to a video without depending on its storage path. The streaming service looks up the ID, retrieves the current storage location, and forwards the request to video storage. section 4.5.2
Using an identifier instead of a physical path provides practical benefits:
- Move videos or restructure the storage filesystem without changing references held by other databases and records. section 4.5.2
- Give metadata, recommendation, and view databases a generic reference to each video. section 4.5.2
- Keep potentially long internal storage locations out of ordinary video references. section 4.5.2
Database record
A MongoDB record can map an object ID such as 5d9e690ad76fe06a3d7ae416 to videoPath SampleVideo_1280x720_1mb.mp4. The service receives the ID, performs the lookup, and uses the returned path only when contacting storage. section 4.5.2
