In 7-Backup historizing, also known as versioning is a technique for retaining older versions of the files on the backup. Normally, the files already on the backup are overwritten by the updated files. Whoever subsequently wishes to access older versions of a file has to back the files up on a number of backup media - or else can activate the 7-Backup historization.
Each backup then involves the file not being replaced but filed in addition to the files already on the backup. The file already on the backup, and which would otherwise be transformed, now receives a new file name with the format;
Original file name + version date + file ending
The version date corresponds to the date of the last change to the file version. The latest version of the file always bears the original file name. The following screen detail shows a file folder with two earlier versions of the file "RECORDER.BAS":
Versioned backup such as this is particularly useful for documents you have been working on for a long time. For example, if you are designing a website or are writing a large document or assignment. Other examples are graphics created by a graphic artist, a composer's music pieces, an author's manuscripts, or a programmer's source code - and anything that is important and changes a lot.
Creating a historized backup of a sub folder of a path that is to be fully backed up
If you would like to make a historized backup of a subfolder, but this subfolder is situated within a path that is already contained in the task and is to be backed up, you can insert the subfolder of which the historized backup is to be made separately in the task and make the checkmark against "Make historized file backup". The program will then make a historized backup of this directory at the same time it is executing the parent path.
Note: If there is no change in the file size 7-Backup compares the file change date. Because the date is held with differing levels of accuracy as a function of the hardware (hard disk, CD, USB drive etc...), files are only versioned if there is a discrepancy of at least one minute in the change date.
If you wish to make a historized backup of a number of file types in each and every case, then enter the file types in question in the options:
Use a semicolon to separate a number of different file types.
Important: This setting is ignored when backing up on FTP server, tape or CD/DVD and Blu-Ray media.
If you would like to strip your backup of the historized files, you can remove older file versions. To do so, use the Clean up wizard.
Resetting directories to a previous version
In the restore wizardyou can select an option whether you would like to reset the restored directories to a date in the past. This is especially useful if you have made a historized backup of an entire directory and now want to reset the dates to an earlier state.
