Automatic file versioning

A system for automatic file versioning in a computing environment comprising:

• a file system event monitor, in communication with a file system events engine, for detecting initiation of a file system event wherein an updated version of an original file stored at an original storage location is written to a new storage location, and for identifying the file system event as a first component of a file versioning event;
• and
• a file versioner, in communication with the file system event monitor, for creating a hard link to the original storage location upon receipt of a communication from the file system event monitor indicating that the first component of the file versioning event has been identified, the hard link indicating a version relationship between the original file and the updated version,
• wherein the file versioner creates the hard link prior to occurrence of a final component of the file versioning event wherein an original storage location identifier is scheduled to be disassociated from a file system location for the original file.

A computer readable medium containing computer instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to perform a method of automatic file versioning, comprising:

• instructions for detecting initiation of a file system event wherein an updated version of an original file stored at an original storage location is written to a new storage location;
• instructions for identifying the file system event as a first component of a file versioning event;
• and
• instructions for creating a hard link to the original storage location, the hard link indicating a version relationship between the original file and the updated version,
• the instructions for creating the hard link ensuring that the hard link is created prior to occurrence of a final component of the file versioning event wherein an original file storage location identifier is scheduled to be disassociated from the original storage location.

A method of automatic file versioning in a computing environment comprising:

• detecting initiation by an application of a file system event in a file system wherein an updated version of an original file stored at an original storage location is written to a new storage location;
• identifying the file system event as a first component of a file versioning event;
• if the application can hard link and if the file system can hard link, creating a hard link to the original storage location prior to occurrence of a final component of the file versioning event wherein the original storage location is scheduled to be disassociated from a file system location for the original file, the hard link indicating a version relationship between the original file and the updated version;
• if the file system is a remote file system and either one of the application and the file system cannot hard link, creating a server-side copy of the file;
• and
• if the file system is a local file system and either the application cannot hard link or the file system cannot hard link, creating a copy of the file.

A method of automatic file versioning in a computing environment, comprising:

• detecting initiation of a file system event wherein an updated version of an original file stored at an original storage location is written to a new storage location;
• identifying the file system event as a first component of a file versioning event;
• causing a new file storage location identifier to become associated with the original storage location, the new file storage location identifier indicating a version relationship between the original file and the updated version, and preventing the file system from de-allocating the original storage location,
• the step of causing a new file storage location identifier to become associated with the original storage location occurring prior to occurrence of a final component of the file versioning event wherein an original file storage location identifier is scheduled to be disassociated from the original storage location.