Method and apparatus for processing recursive hard links in a data processing system

A method in a data system for processing a recursive link in a directory structure in a data processing system, the method comprising the data processing system implemented steps of:

• identifying a path to a defective directory associated with the recursive link in the directory structure;
• responsive to identifying the path to the defective directory associated with the recursive link, collecting directory structure information excluding the recursive link to form collected directory structure information;
• backing up data using the collected directory structure information;
• and
• creating a new directory structure using the collected directory structure information, wherein the recursive link is absent from the new directory structure.

A data system for processing a recursive link in a directory structure in a data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

• first identifying means for identifying a path to a directory including the recursive link in the directory structure, wherein the path includes a hierarchy towards a root directory, which is a highest directory;
• selecting means, responsive to identifying the path, for selecting a highest unprocessed directory in the path as a current directory and identifying all directories in the directory structure beneath the current directory, excluding a directory below the current directory in the path until all directories in the path down to the directory having the recursive link have been processed to form a set of identified directories;
• and
• second identifying means for identifying all files within the set of directories to form a set of identified files.

A data system for processing a recursive link in a directory structure in a data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

• identifying means for identifying a path to a defective directory associated with the recursive link in the directory structure;
• collecting means, responsive to identifying the path to the defective directory associated with the recursive link, for collecting directory structure information excluding the recursive link to form collected directory structure information;
• backing up means for backing up data using the collected directory structure information;
• and
• creating means for creating a new directory structure using the collected directory structure information, wherein the recursive link is absent from the new directory structure.

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for processing a recursive link in a directory structure in a data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for identifying a path to a directory including the recursive link in the directory structure, wherein the path includes a hierarchy towards a root directory, which is a highest directory;
• second instructions, responsive to identifying the path, for selecting a highest unprocessed directory in the path as a current directory and identifying all directories in the directory structure beneath the current directory excluding a directory below the current directory in the path until all directories in the path down to the directory having the recursive link have been processed to form a set of identified directories;
• and
• third instructions for identifying all files within the set of identified directories to form a set of identified files.

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for processing a recursive link in a directory structure in a data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for identifying a path to a defective directory associated with the recursive link in the directory structure;
• second instructions, responsive to identifying the path to the defective directory associated with the recursive link, for collecting directory structure information excluding the recursive link to form collected directory structure information;
• third instructions for backing up data using the collected directory structure information;
• and
• fourth instructions for creating a new directory structure using the collected directory structure information, wherein the recursive link is absent from the new directory structure.