Document tracking through version hash linked graphs
Embodiments of the invention provide the ability to track document versioning. Before executing an open operation on a first document version, a first before-hash is generated. After executing the open operation, a first after-hash is generated. Before executing a save operation, the first before-hash is acquired, and after execution (resulting in a second document version), a second after-hash of the second document version is generated. A version hash linked graph (VHLG) is generated and includes document nodes for the different document versions where each node includes a hash of that document version, a user-application node corresponding to the user or application that executed the operations, and edges connecting the nodes (e.g., that identify the operation and/or the document lineage) Based on the VHLG, a full history of a document is provided.
1. A computer-implemented method for tracking file versioning, comprising:
(a) receiving one or more logged items, wherein;
each logged item comprises
(1) a representation of a file operation that has been performed on a file by one user of one or more users, wherein the file comprises a file based document;
(2) a user identification corresponding to the one user of the one or more users that performed the file operation;
(3) an operation identification for the file operation that has been performed on the file;
(4) a before-hash for a before version of the file before the file operation was performed; and
(5) an after-hash for an after version of the file after the file operation has been performed;
(b) generating, based on the one or more logged items, a version hash linked graph (VHLG) without linking or storing the file based document, wherein the VHLG comprises:
(i) one or more document nodes, wherein each of the one or more document nodes comprises a before hash document node or an after hash document node;
(ii) one or more user nodes corresponding to the one or more users or applications;
(iii) one or more edges connecting one or more of the one or more document nodes to one or more of the one or more user nodes, wherein the one or more user nodes are connected to the one or more of the one or more document nodes based on a corresponding file operation; and
(iv) a document edge connecting the before hash document node to the after hash document node; and
(c) determining a full history of the file based on the VHLG, wherein the full history identifies the one or more users that performed file operations, the file operations, and versioning of the file over time.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the VHLG generated by a VHLG generating service that generates the VHLG based on the one or more logged items.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a lineage based on the VHLG, wherein the lineage comprises a version history of file.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising:
augmenting the one or more document nodes with contextual data; and
determining, based on the lineage and contextual data, a community that collaborates.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , further comprising:
determining, based on the contextual data, an industry type of the community.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , further comprising:
determining, based on the VHLG, an access pattern over time.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
data for the file is stored independently from the VHLG; and
the before hash and the after hash remain the same regardless of a device platform being used to perform the file operation.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing, to collaborating users, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a visualization of the VHLG, wherein the visualization displays access patterns and dependencies between the before version of the file and the after version of the file.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based on the VHLG, a most current version of the file, wherein the determining comprises querying the VHLG; and
informing the one or more users or applications performing the file operation a result of the determining.
10. A computer-implemented system for tracking file versioning, comprising:
(a) a computer having a memory;
(b) a processor executing on the computer;
(c) the memory storing a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform computer operations comprising:
(i) receiving one or more logged items, wherein each logged item comprises:
(1) a representation of a file operation that has been performed on a file by one user of one or more users, wherein the file comprises a file based document;
(2) a user identification corresponding to the one user of the one or more users that performed the file operation;
(3) an operation identification for the file operation that has been performed on the file;
(4) a before-hash for a before version of the file before the file operation was performed; and
(5) an after-hash for an after version of the file after the file operation has been performed;
(ii) generating a version hash linked graph (VHLG) without linking or storing the file based document, wherein the VHLG comprises:
(1) one or more document nodes, wherein each of the one or more document nodes comprises a before hash document node or an after hash document node;
(2) one or more user nodes corresponding to the one or more users or applications;
(3) one or more edges connecting one or more of the one or more document nodes to one or more of the one or more user nodes, wherein the one or more user nodes are connected to the one or more of the one or more document nodes based on a corresponding file operation; and
(4) a document edge connecting the before hash document node to the after hash document node; and
(iii) determining a full history of the file based on the VHLG, wherein the full history identifies the one or more users that performed file operations, the file operations, and versioning of the file over time.
11. The computer-implemented system of claim 10 , wherein:
the VHLG is generated by a VHLG generating service that generates the VHLG based on the one or more logged items.
12. The computer-implemented system of claim 10 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
determining a lineage based on the VHLG, wherein the lineage comprises a version history of file.
13. The computer-implemented system of claim 12 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
augmenting the one or more document nodes with contextual data; and
determining, based on the lineage and contextual data, a community that collaborates.
14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
determining, based on the contextual data, an industry type of the community.
15. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
determining, based on the VHLG, an access pattern over time.
16. The computer-implemented system of claim 10 , wherein:
data for the file is stored independently from the VHLG; and
the before hash and the after hash remain the same regardless of a device platform being used to perform the file operation.
17. The computer-implemented system of claim 10 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
providing, to collaborating users, a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a visualization of the VHLG, wherein the visualization displays access patterns and dependencies between the before version of the file and the after version of the file.
18. The computer-implemented system of claim 10 , wherein the computer operations further comprise:
determining, based on the VHLG, a most current version of the file, wherein the determining comprises querying the VHLG; and
informing the one or more users or applications performing the file operation a result of the determining.