Alerting an offline user of a predicted computer file update

A computer program product for file update prediction, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to perform a method, comprising:
• receiving, by a first computing device, a copy of a master digital file from a server for use offline, wherein the master digital file includes metadata, and wherein the master digital file is a digital file shared between one or more users;
• analyzing the metadata of the master digital file for a pattern of updates initiated by a user on the first computing device and one or more users using one or more second computing devices, respectively, the pattern of updates indicating a regular time interval the master digital file is updated;
• generating a file update prediction for discouraging offline use of an outdated version of the master digital file, the file update prediction indicating an estimation for when the master digital file is likely to be updated based on the pattern of updates;
• and
• generating an alert for display offline on a user interface of the first computing device, the alert indicating the estimation for when the master digital will be updated by the one or more users to discourage and avoid use of the outdated version of the master digital file by the user.

A system for file update prediction, the system comprising:

• a computer system comprising, a processor, a computer readable storage medium, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium being executable by the processor to cause the computer system to:
• receive, by a first computing device, a copy of a master digital file from a server for use offline, wherein the master digital file includes metadata, and wherein the master digital file is a digital file shared between one or more users;
• analyze the metadata of the master digital file for a pattern of updates initiated by a user on the first computing device and one or more users using one or more second computing devices, respectively, the pattern of updates indicating a regular time interval the master digital file is updated;
• generate a file update prediction for discouraging offline_use of an outdated version of the master digital file, the file update prediction indicating an estimation for when the master digital file is likely to be updated based on the pattern of updates;
• and
• generate an alert for display offline on a user interface of the first computing device, the alert indicating the estimation for when the master digital will be updated by the one or more users to discourage and avoid use of the outdated version of the master digital file by the user.