Explicit state
The model travels as a named artifact rather than invisible decoder knowledge.
Experimental module / model pipe
zRank
model context. Keep entropy optional.
zRank is not the compressor at the end of the line. It is an experimental reversible model transform: consume an ID stream, emit a rank-oriented representation plus model state, then hand the result to whatever downstream coder earns its place.
MODELREVERSIBLEEXPERIMENTAL
ID stream
↓
[ zRank ]
↓
rank stream + explicit model
↓
entropy backend is replaceable
Module boundary
A model plug, not another monolith.
Current research treats model build, encode, decode, sidebands and entropy as separate costs. That keeps zRank useful even when the downstream coder changes.
STRUCTURE → optional filters → MODEL → entropy
DU3 → [Rare1] → [zRank] → [zstd / future backend]
DU3 → [Rare1] → [zRank] → [zstd / future backend]
Research lane
Interesting intermediates still count.
Model/rank size, build cost, inverse cost and entropy response are measured separately. A smaller intermediate is not silently called a complete archive.
Exact gate
Encode and decode are independently testable before a downstream codec is added.
Pluggable downstream
LZ, RLE, ANS-class coders or future domain coders can be tested without redefining zRank itself.