Why should a Trace-ID be 128 bits? (A Surprisingly Long Answer)
Summary
The article explains why trace IDs are 128 bits, using probability theory and the birthday paradox to show 128-bit IDs minimize collision risk in distributed tracing. It argues for the trade-offs of 64-bit vs 128-bit IDs and why 256-bit isn't practical, concluding that 128 bits is the sweet spot for observability.