Looking for a parts author to team up with.

[Philippe Hurbain]

It's not just the part number with an extension?

It would be too simple for LEGO
Each patterned part has its own design number (5 digit number, corresponding to mold number - shape if you prefer - for unpatterned parts). In addition it has a 7 digit item number, meaning shape+specific plastic color. See for example the gazillon of references for tile 1x2 https://brickset.com/parts/page-4?query=...Tile%201X2