Method for the storage of multi-versioned data with retrieval based on searched query

A method for implementing the control of versioned data objects affected by engineering changes to a product design in a computer-based information processing system in which a master item file comprised of items resides on a non-volatile storage device with each of said items representing a part to be used to assemble a product, said method comprising:

• creating a first engineering change notice that identifies a first plurality of items in a master item file, said first plurality of items comprised of at least a first item, said first item affected by a first engineering change;
• creating a first affected item record for said first item and storing said first affected item record in an affected item file on said non-volatile storage device;
• identifying said first affected item record by a first sequence number;
• determining a first plurality of versioned data objects that are affected by said first engineering change,
• modifying each of said first plurality of versioned data objects, said modification including modifying a plurality of version control attributes, said attributes comprising at least a sequence number field and said modification comprising at least modifying said sequence number field to contain said first sequence number, the result of such modification being a first modified plurality of versioned data objects and
• storing said first modified plurality of versioned data objects in a plurality of versioned data object data files on said non-volatile storage device;
• creating a second engineering change notice that identifies a second plurality of items in said master item file, said second plurality of items comprised of at least a second item, said second item affected by a second engineering change;
• creating a second affected item record for said at least one item and storing said second affected item record in said affected item file;
• identifying said second affected item record by a second sequence number;
• determining a second plurality of versioned data objects that are affected by said second engineering change,
• modifying each of said second plurality of versioned data objects, said modification comprised of modifying said plurality of version control attributes, said attributes comprising at least said sequence number field and said modification comprising at least modifying said sequence number field to contain said second sequence number, the result of such modification being a second modified plurality of versioned data objects and storing said second modified plurality of versioned data objects in said plurality of versioned data object data files;
• and
• if said first engineering change satisfies a search query, retrieving said first affected item record and said first modified plurality of versioned data objects by means of said first sequence number;
• and
• if said second engineering change satisfies a search query, retrieving said second affected item record and said second modified plurality of versioned data objects by means of said second sequence number.