ArchiveEntry

ArchiveEntry is a discrete unit stored within an Archive that represents a single artifact along with its data and metadata. It serves as the fundamental unit for indexing, retrieval, and management in digital preservation and backup systems. An ArchiveEntry typically corresponds to a specific item such as a document, email, or file version, and is designed to be uniquely identifiable within the Archive.

A typical ArchiveEntry includes several core components. These include an identifier, a timestamp indicating when the item was archived, provenance or source information, a storage reference to the actual data, size, and a cryptographic checksum for integrity verification. In addition, a metadata set describes properties such as title, author, subject, rights, and retention hints. Versioning, lineage (parent/child relationships), retention policies, access controls, and encryption details may also be tracked.

ArchiveEntry is usually managed within an Archive by an index or manifest that enumerates all entries and supports efficient search and retrieval. It often references the actual content separately as a binary blob or object storage, with contentRef or location fields that enable restoration without re-ingesting data.

Workflows commonly involve ingestion, indexing, searching, retrieval, and restoration, followed by deletion or archival according to policy. Formats for ArchiveEntry can vary, including JSON documents, relational table rows, or embedded metadata containers, while the associated content may reside in an object store or file system.

Use cases span digital libraries, legal and regulatory email or document archiving, compliance backups, and disaster recovery. See also Archive, Metadata, Digital preservation, and Retention policy.