WHC System Naming Scheme
The Wormhole Community uses a set of rules and guidelines to generate logical names for the many wormhole space systems it might be connected to. The original names of the systems (aka J-Sig) are difficult to convey over comms and chat, so we use better ones!
- This system naming scheme explains how we NAME SYSTEMS in wormhole space
- The bookmark naming scheme explains how we NAME BOOKMARKS in wormhole space
- The what to bookmark guide explains WHAT SHOULD BE BOOKMARKED in wormhole space
Scheme
Basic Concepts
System Names
- All systems (in K- or W-space) on the mapper have assigned short, unique, code names.
- Their name depends on their position in a chain.
- Our home system is named Innuendo (often shortened to Innu).
- Our static C3 is always named Bacon and takes B as a root name.
- Our static Highsec is always named Eggs and takes E as a root name.
Chain
- A chain is a list of systems each connected to the next by a wormhole.
- Each chain has a unique identifier called the root name (usually a single letter, chosen in reverse alphabetical order).
- Eggs and Bacon are technically 1 E1 and 1 B1, but the numbers can be omitted.
- All other incoming or outgoing wormholes from Innuendo are assigned a unique letter to the map.
- Position numbers get higher as you move further away from Innuendo.
Connections
- We give names to ALL Connections, even if it's a gated connection! (this includes EOL connections)
Syntax
Every bookmark is made in the form:
- [math]D\ RW(S)[/math]
Where:
- [math]D[/math] : The Depth of the chain - the number of jumps away from Innuendo.
- [math]R[/math] : The Root of the chain - selected only for connections to Innuendo. (B is reserved for Bacon, and E is reserved for Eggs, all other letters are selected in reverse alphabetical order)
- [math]W[/math] : The Width of the chain - representative of number of connections at that depth.
- [math]S[/math] : The Security Status of the system or if it leads to Triglavian controlled space. [Highsec, Lowsec, Nullsec, Triglavian]
Examples
- 2 B1L Represents
- [math]D[/math] : System is 2 jumps out of Innuendo so Depth is 2
- [math]R[/math] : The root system is named B (aka Bacon)
- [math]W[/math] : This is the first connection of this depth
- [math]S[/math] : L tells us that this is a low security system named Reyi.
- 3 B2 Represents
- [math]D[/math] : System is 3 jumps out of Innuendo so Depth is 3
- [math]R[/math] : The root system is named B (aka Bacon)
- [math]W[/math] : The system at this depth is identified uniquely by the number 2.
- [math]S[/math] : No special designation means it is a wormhole system
Naming
Root Name
Only the following letters may be used to name the root of a new chain starting off from Innuendo, that isn't one of the static connections Bacon or Eggs.
Z | Y | W | V | U | S | R | Q | O | M | I | D | A |
Reserved Letters
Certain letters are reserved or are not used for chain names.
B | Reserved for Bacon, and while it is used in our naming scheme, it is to only be used for Bacon and the Bacon chain. |
C | The prefix for the class of wormhole, and should not be used for a chain. |
E | Reserved for Eggs, and while it is used in our naming scheme, it is to only be used for Eggs and the Eggs chain. |
F | Reserved as it may be used on some mappers to denote a 'frigate' or small ships connection. |
G | Logistical terminology concerns, also sounds like both B and E. |
H | Reserved for indicating a system is a highsec system. |
J | Already the embedded in the Eve name for a Wormhole system. |
K | Used to refer to kspace aka known-space. |
L | Reserved for indicating a system is a lowsec system. |
N | Reserved for indicating a system is a nullsec system. |
P | Sounds too similar to "B" on voice comms. |
T | Reserved for indicating a system is in the Pochven region. |
X | Sounds too similar to "Eggs" on voice comms. |
System Names in Chain
Each W-Space system is named as a derivative of the previously discovered adjacent system. Wormholes are bookmarked in order of discovery or the scanners preference.
- Every connection away from Innuendo increments the [math]D[/math] number by one.
- Each wormhole discovered in all systems at that depth increments the [math]W[/math] number by one.
- K-Space systems and wormholes are suffixed with H (for highsec), L (for lowsec), N (for nullsec) and T (for Triglavian space)
- If the chain has more than one defining letter, separate the last chain defining letter from the rest with "/" (forward slash). (Example: 2 B1/3 E2, when the same system is part of both Bacon and Eggs chains)
Here is a easier to read version of the decision making process. Note that it doesn't include the bookmarking scheme format.
- Scan system
- Ignore the wormhole that leads back
- Warp to wormhole
- Check where it leads to
- Increment [math]D[/math] by 1 relative to current system
- Keep [math]R[/math] the same as current system
- If there is another system scanned at the same depth as the one you are one check people and places to find the first available [math]W[/math] at that depth for the current chain, otherwise set [math]W[/math] to 1.
- Remember to set H/L/N/T for highsec/lowsec/nullsec/triglavian respectively if the destination is known space
- Go back to point 3
Example
Assume you are scanning in a fresh system. You have entered the system from 1 B1 (aka Bacon). You find 3 unexplored wormholes and the 4th is your way back. You ignore the one that goes back towards Innuendo;
- The first wormhole you find leads to lowsec. You should name the system behind it 2 B1L.
- 2: because 2 comes after 1 (1+1=2)
- B: because you are in the B chain
- 1: because it is the first (1st) system you're naming
- L: because it leads to lowsec
- The second wormhole you find leads to "dangerous unknown space". You should name the system 2 B2.
- 2: because 2 comes after 1 (1+1=2)
- B: because you are in the B chain
- 2: because it is the second (2nd) system you're naming
- The third wormhole you find leads to another C3. You should name the system 2 B3.
- 2: because 2 comes after 1 (1+1=2)
- B: because you are in the B chain
- 3: because it is the third (3rd) system you're naming
Pros & Cons
Unsurprisingly, any mapping structure has certain trade-offs in readability, standalone performance, ease of naming as well as quite a few other considerations.
Advantages
- Compact: Compared to other schemes with the aforementioned quality, this scheme generates relatively compact names.
- Unique System Names: Each system has a unique name so you can give a call out without fear of people going to a different system.
Disadvantages
- Difficult to Learn: Compared to mapping schemes where each chain isn't differentiated, players might end up going through 2 B1 to get to 3 B2 but it might actually be in 2 B2
- Prone to Mistakes: Due to the chance of having multiple scanners naming a system will need to be called out over comms and in fleet chat so that somebody knows that the name has been taken and does not get used.
- Difficult to Navigate: Names can be reserved for any amount of width at a certain depth which makes it harder to navigate full path without understanding the shortform.