Methods and systems for managing data

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata or indexes of content of files. In one exemplary method, notifications to update a metadata database or an index database are combined into a combined notification. According to other aspects, an order among logical locations on a storage device is determined in order to specify a sequence for scanning for files to be indexed. According to another aspect, a method includes determining whether to index a file based on a path name of the file relative to a plurality of predetermined path names.

1 . A machine implemented method of processing data, the method comprising:
 determining whether to index a file based on a file pathname of the file and a plurality of predetermined pathnames;   indexing the file in response to determining that the file is to be indexed.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein files within predetermined directories are not to be indexed. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2  wherein the predetermined directories are specified at least in part by the plurality of predetermined pathnames and comprise temporary directories and operating system directories. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the determining is based on at least a portion of the file pathname. 
     
     
         5 . A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method of processing data, the method comprising:
 determining whether to index a file based on a file pathname of the file and a plurality of predetermined pathnames;   indexing the file in response to determining that the file is to be indexed.   
     
     
         6 . A medium as in  claim 5  wherein files within predetermined directories are not to be indexed. 
     
     
         7 . A medium as in  claim 6  wherein the predetermined directories are specified at least in part by the plurality of predetermined pathnames and comprise temporary directories and operating system directories. 
     
     
         8 . A medium as in  claim 5  wherein the determining is based on at least a portion of the file pathname. 
     
     
         9 . A data processing system comprising:
 means determining whether to index a file based on a file pathname of the file and a plurality of predetermined pathnames;   indexing the file in response to determining that the file is to be indexed.   
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 9  wherein files within predetermined directories are not to be indexed. 
     
     
         11 . A system as in  claim 10  wherein the predetermined directories are specified at least in part by the plurality of predetermined pathnames and comprise temporary directories and operating system directories. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 9  wherein the determining is based on at least a portion of the file pathname. 
     
     
         13 . A machine readable medium providing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method of processing data, the method comprising:
 determining whether to add metadata from a file to a metadata database based on a file pathname of the file and a plurality of predetermined pathnames;   add the metadata of the file into the metadata database in response to the determining.   
     
     
         14 . A medium as in  claim 5  wherein files within predetermined directories are not to have their metadata added to the metadata database. 
     
     
         15 . A medium as in  claim 6  wherein the predetermined directories are specified at least in part by the plurality of predetermined pathnames and comprise temporary directories and operating system directories. 
     
     
         16 . A medium as in  claim 5  wherein the determining is based on at least a portion of the file pathname.