Method and system for accessing data by a client from a server

A method for accessing data by a client computer system from a server computer system, the client computer system including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the client computer system from an application program, a read request to read at least a portion of a second virtual derived data file, the at least the portion of the second virtual derived data file being derived by the server computer system using at least a portion of a first data file and a first data file virtualization policy, the first data file and the first data file virtualization policy being previously stored in a storage device in communication with the server computer system;
• sending, by the client computer system to the server computer system, a request for the at least the portion of the second virtual derived data file requested by the application program in the read request;
• receiving, by the client computer system from the server computer system, a response to the request including the at least the portion of the second virtual derived data file requested by the client computer system;
• and
• providing, by the client computer system to the application program, the at least the portion of the second virtual derived data file in response to the read request.