Selfversioning

Selfversioning refers to a system or process where data or software automatically tracks and manages its own historical states. Instead of relying on external tools like version control systems for every change, selfversioning embeds the versioning logic directly within the data structure or application itself. This means that each modification to the data or application creates a new, distinct version that is accessible for retrieval or rollback.

The core idea is to provide an inherent capability for history tracking. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as storing a log of all changes, creating snapshots of the data at specific intervals, or employing immutable data structures where modifications result in new versions rather than in-place alterations. This approach can simplify development and deployment by making version management a built-in feature, reducing the need for separate version control workflows for certain types of data or components.

Selfversioning finds applications in areas where granular control over historical states is beneficial. For instance, in database systems, it can enable features like time-travel queries or easy undo operations. In configuration management, it allows for tracking changes to system settings over time. The benefit is often improved auditability, easier debugging, and greater resilience against accidental data loss or corruption, as previous states are always readily available. However, it can also introduce overhead in terms of storage and performance, depending on the implementation.