Rollback

Rollback is the process of returning a system, dataset, or policy to a previous, known-good state after an error, unwanted change, or failure. It is used across domains to limit damage, preserve consistency, and restore functionality without starting from scratch. Rollback can occur automatically as part of a system’s error handling, or be initiated manually by operators or developers.

In software and databases, rollback denotes withdrawing an incomplete or faulty operation. In transactional databases, a rollback undoes all operations within the current transaction, restoring the previous data state. This is part of ACID properties, alongside atomicity, consistency, and durability. Savepoints allow partial rollback to a defined point within a transaction. Rollback can also refer to restoring a system to a known good state after a failed deployment, or to point-in-time recovery in backup and disaster recovery frameworks.

In software deployment, rollback means reverting to a prior version of software or configuration after a release proves problematic. This can be done by redeploying a previous build, restoring from backups, or switching to a stable release while fixes are prepared. Rollbacks may involve data migrations, compatibility checks, and post-rollback testing to ensure system stability.

In retail and pricing, rollback refers to a temporary price reduction designed to return a product to a former, lower price point. This use is marketing-oriented and independent of data or system rollback processes.

Limitations include potential data loss, partial or inconsistent state after rollback, and the need for reliable backups and testing. Proper rollback planning, monitoring, and documentation are essential to minimize risk.