Selectively persisting application program data from system memory to non-volatile data storage

A method, comprising:

• performing, by a computing device implementing a system:
• indicating to an application program storing an application data object in system memory that the application data object can be treated as persistent;
• enabling data backup for the application data object stored in the system memory to persist the application data object for the application program in the event of system failure, wherein said data backup copies the application data object stored in the system memory to non-volatile data storage;
• upon recovery from a system failure, disabling further data backup for the application data object stored in the system memory to the non-volatile data storage.

A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium, storing program instructions that when executed by a computing device implements a system configured to implement:

• indicating to an application program storing a range of application data in system memory that the range of application data can be treated as persistent;
• enabling data backup for the range of application data stored in the system memory to persist the range of application data for the application program in the event of system failure, wherein said data backup copies the range of application data stored in the system memory to non-volatile data storage;
• and
• upon recovery from a system failure, disabling further data backup for the range of application data stored in the system memory to the non-volatile data storage.