isDeleted

isDeleted is a common data-model flag used in software systems to indicate that a record has been logically deleted. Rather than removing the row or object from storage, the system marks it as deleted so it can be ignored by regular operations but preserved for recovery, auditing, or historical reference.

In practice, a deletion operation typically sets isDeleted to true or assigns a deletion timestamp in a field such as deletedAt. Normal queries filter out deleted records to present only active data, while additional queries can retrieve or restore deleted items when needed. Some designs use both an isDeleted flag and a separate timestamp to distinguish between never-deleted and deleted-at states, or to enable soft deletion alongside hard deletion policies.

Soft deletion offers benefits such as data recovery after accidental deletion, improved audit trails, and preservation of referential integrity for related records. It also introduces maintenance considerations, including the need for consistent filtering across all queries, potential indexing requirements to maintain performance, and mechanisms for restoring or permanently removing data. Over time, accumulated soft-deleted records can complicate data management and storage, making periodic cleanup or archiving desirable.

Common contexts for isDeleted include content management, user accounts, orders, and any system with a need to preserve history or enable undo actions. Variants and naming conventions vary by framework and language, with related concepts such as deletedAt timestamps, tombstones, or isRemoved flags. Proper implementation requires clear policy on visibility, restoration, and compliance with data-retention requirements.