Upward and downward compatible data processing system

A version-compatible data processing system comprising first and second versions of an application program for user interaction with stored data, the application program comprising:

• (a) means for generating, storing, and retrieving data files, each data file comprising an array of data objects, wherein each data object includes an object type code, and object content, the data files having standard identifications of object types, and beginning and end extremities of the object data, wherein the standard identifications in the second version of the application program is a subset of the standard identifications in the first version of the application program;
• (b) the means for retrieving comprising:
• (i) means for determining recognition of the object type of each data object;
• and
• (ii) retrieving each unrecognized data object without processing;
• (c) means for processing each recognized data object;
• (d) means for indicating unrecognized data objects;
• and
• (e) the means for storing comprising means for storing unrecognized data objects without modification,
• whereby data files generated and stored by the first version of the application program are processable and restorable as partially processed files by the second version of the application program in which not all data object types generated by the first version of the program are recognized, the unrecognized data objects being subsequently processable upon retrieval of the partially processed files by the first version of the application program.

A method for data processing using versions of an application program whereby data files generated and stored by a later version of the application are processable and restorable as partially processed files by an earlier version of the application program, comprising:

• (a) in a first version of the application program, generating a data file comprising an array of data objects, wherein each object includes an object type code and object content, using standard identifications of object types and beginning and end extremities of the object data;
• (b) in the first version of the application program, storing the data file;
• (c) in a second, earlier version of the application program having associated therewith a subset of the standard identifications, retrieving and processing the data file, comprising:
• (i) determining recognition of the object type of each object;
• (ii) processing each recognized object;
• and
• (iii) retrieving each unrecognized object without processing;
• (d) in the second version of the application program, indicating unrecognized objects;
• and
• (e) in the second version of the application program, storing the data file as a partially processed data file, comprising storing the unrecognized objects without modification, thereby permitting the unrecognized objects to be subsequently retrieved and processed upon retrieval of the partially processed file by the first version of the application program.

A version-compatible data processing system comprising first and second versions of an application program for user interaction with stored data, the application program comprising:

• (a) means for generating, storing, and retrieving data files, each data file comprising an array of data objects, wherein each object includes an object type code, object data, and an attribute code, the data files having standard identifications of object types, beginning and end extremities of the object data, and attributes, wherein the standard identifications in the second version of the application program is a subset of the standard identifications in the first version of the application program;
• (b) the means for retrieving comprising:
• (i) means for determining recognition of the object type of each object, and retrieving each unrecognized object without processing;
• and
• (ii) means for determining recognition of attributes of each object, and means for retrieving each unrecognized attribute without processing;
• (c) means for processing each recognized object;
• (d) means for indicating unrecognized objects;
• (e) the means for storing comprising means for storing unrecognized objects and attributes without modification;
• (f) means for maintaining a modification trail of each data file, comprising means for recording the unrecognized objects and pending processing thereof;
• (g) means for storing the modification trail in association with the corresponding data file;
• and
• (h) the means for processing further comprising means for determining from the modification trail, and performing, previously recorded pending processing of data objects,
• whereby data files generated and stored by the first version of the application program are processable and restorable as partially processed files by the second version of the application program in which not all object types generated by the first version of the program are recognized, the unrecognized objects being subsequently processed and the unrecognized attributes being recognized upon retrieval of the partially processed files by the first version of the application program.