strictPreservation

StrictPreservation is a software repository preservation strategy that aims to ensure the long-term accessibility and integrity of software artifacts. This approach is designed to prevent the loss of software assets by retaining exact copies of the original artifacts, including all metadata and dependencies.

The core principle of strictPreservation is to preserve the software repository in its original state, without any modifications or updates. This means that the preserved artifacts remain unchanged over time, and any changes made to the original codebase are not reflected in the preserved copy. This approach is also known as a "fork" or "snapshot" preservation method.

StrictPreservation typically involves creating a complete and consistent snapshot of the software repository at a given point in time, including all commits, branchings, and merges. The resulting snapshot is then stored in a digital repository, where it can be accessed and verified at any time.

The benefits of strictPreservation include:

* Ensuring the integrity and authenticity of software artifacts over time

* Preventing the loss of software assets due to changes or updates to the original codebase

* Enabling the reproduction of software environments and configurations from past points in time

However, strictPreservation also has some limitations and challenges, including the storage and maintenance costs associated with preserving large and complex software repositories, as well as the potential difficulty in reproducing complex software environments.