Systems and methods for a snapshot of data

A data storage system configured to efficiently create and delete snapshots of files and directories, the system comprising:

• at least one storage device;
• at least one computer processor;
• and
• at least one executable software module executed by the at least one computer processor and configured to:
• create a snapshot tracking data structure associated with a first snapshot of data stored on the at least one storage device, wherein the data comprises one or more files or directories, and the snapshot tracking data structure is configured to store references associated with at least portions of the data which are modified or deleted after the first snapshot is created;
• and
• delete the first snapshot by accessing the snapshot tracking data structure and, for each of the references associated with at least portions of the data which are modified or deleted after the first snapshot is created,
• if there is not an earlier snapshot governing the associated portion, delete the associated portion, and
• if there is an earlier snapshot governing the associated portion, copy the associated portion or add a reference to the associated portion to metadata associated with the earlier snapshot.