Management of computer-file sharing between at least two devices

A device comprising:

• a communication unit for sending and receiving messages in order to exchange at least computer files with at least a second device,
• a storage unit for storing computer files, and
• a processing unit for managing computer files according to a first data structure representing a first file tree enabling access to files stored in the storage unit, the children of the root of the first tree corresponding to a first level of the tree, the children of the first level nodes corresponding to a second level of the tree, and so on, said processing unit being configured, for a current level of the first tree, to:
• receive data representative of a level of the same rank in a second data structure representing a second file tree enabling access to files stored in the second device, the children of the root of the second tree corresponding to a first level of the tree, the children of the first level nodes corresponding to a second level of the tree, and so on;
• compare the current level with the level of the same rank, in the second structure, represented by the data received, in order to determine the presence in the second tree, at the rank level of the current level, of an element which is not found in the first tree at the current level;
• and if an element of the second tree is not found in the first tree, incorporate a descriptor for this element into the first tree data structure at the current level, said descriptor enabling access to said element from the first tree.

A system comprising:

• a first device able to store computer files and exchange them with at least a second device,
• a second device able to store computer files and exchange them with at least the first device, and
• wherein the first device stores the files in a first data structure representing a first file tree enabling access to files stored in memory of the first device, the children of the root of the first tree corresponding to a first level of the tree, the children of the first level nodes corresponding to a second level of the tree, and so on, and
• wherein, for a current level of the first tree:
• the first device receives data representative of a level of the same rank in a second data structure representing a second file tree enabling access to files stored in the second device, the children of the root of the second tree corresponding to a first level of the tree, the children of the first level nodes corresponding to a second level of the tree, and so on;
• said first device compares the current level with the level of the same rank, in the second structure, represented by the data received, in order to determine the presence in the second tree, at the rank level of the current level, of an element which is not found in the first tree at the current level;
• and if an element of the second tree is not found in the first tree, the first device incorporates a descriptor for this element into the first tree data structure at the current level, said descriptor enabling access to said element from the first tree.