Automatic deletion in data storage management

Abstract

A method of managing the recordation of data sets to a finite data storage medium, each respective data set having associated therewith a time of creation and a preservation weight from a range of allowable preservation weights, comprises detecting that the finite data storage medium has reached or exceeded its effective capacity; for all data sets currently stored in the finite data storage medium, successively deleting each respective data set with the lowest preservation weight and earliest time of creation until the finite data storage medium is below a threshold capacity; and once below the threshold capacity, recording a new data set to the finite data storage medium. In a further aspect, when all data sets remaining in the data storage medium are identified as permanent and the data storage medium is still at or above its effective capacity, an error message is returned and no new data set is recorded. In a further aspect, a method of managing groups of data sets comprises associating a new data set to a predetermined group, recording the new data set to the finite data storage medium; and if the number of data sets stored in the finite data storage medium and associated with the predetermined group exceeds a maximum value, deleting the oldest data set of the predetermined group.

1 . A method of managing the recordation of data sets to a finite data storage medium, each respective data set having associated therewith a time of creation and a preservation weight from a range of allowable preservation weights, comprising the steps of: 
 detecting that the finite data storage medium has reached or exceeded a first capacity;    for all data sets currently stored in the finite data storage medium, successively deleting each respective data set with the lowest preservation weight and earliest time of creation until the finite data storage medium is below a second capacity; and    once below the second capacity, recording a new data set to the finite data storage medium.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second capacity is the same as or less than the first capacity of the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first capacity is the effective capacity of the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the effective capacity is approximately 90% of the maximum capacity of the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second capacity is the threshold capacity of the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of sorting all data sets currently stored in the finite data storage medium by preservation weights and then, within each grouping of respective preservation weights, by time of creation.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the new data set is assigned to a group of data sets and wherein all data sets within each respective group has a predetermined preservation weight.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein data sets with the highest allowable preservation weight are identified as permanent.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of returning an error message if all data sets currently stored in the finite storage medium are identified as permanent and the finite data storage medium has reached or exceeded the first capacity.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the error message is a notification to a system administrator.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein, if all data sets currently stored in the finite storage medium are identified as permanent and the finite data storage medium has reached or exceeded the first capacity, further comprising the step of re-designating at least one permanent data set as non-permanent.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of deleting comprises removing each respective data set from the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of deleting comprises making each respective data set capable of being overwritten.  
     
     
         14 . A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions for performing the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . A method of managing groups of data sets recorded to a finite data storage medium, each respective data set having a time of creation, comprising the steps of: 
 associating a new data set to a predetermined group, each predetermined group having a maximum number of allowed data sets associated therewith;    recording the new data set to the finite data storage medium;    counting the number of data sets stored in the finite data storage medium and associated with the predetermined group; and    if the number of data sets stored in the finite data storage medium and associated with the predetermined group exceeds the maximum number, deleting the oldest data set associated with the predetermined group.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of deleting comprises removing each respective data set from the finite data storage medium.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of deleting comprises making each respective data set capable of being overwritten.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the finite data storage medium is associated with a computer system and wherein the maximum number of allowed data sets associated with the predetermined group is set by a user of the computer system.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the finite data storage medium is associated with a computer system and wherein the maximum number of allowed data sets associated with the predetermined group is set by an administrator of the computer system.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein maximum number of allowed data sets associated with the predetermined group is set to a default number.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of recording the new data set occurs after the step of counting.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of recording the new data set occurs after the step of deleting the oldest data set of the predetermined group.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of associating comprises associating the new data set to a plurality of predetermined groups.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined group to which the new data set is associated is determined based on its time of creation.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined group to which the new data set is associated is determined based on a type of data it contains.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the finite data storage medium is associated with a computer system and wherein the predetermined group to which the new data set is associated is determined by a user of the computer system.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the finite data storage medium is associated with a computer system and wherein the predetermined group to which the new data set is associated is determined by an administrator of the computer system.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined group to which the new data set is associated is determined by default.  
     
     
         29 . A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions for performing the method of  claim 15.