Patent ID: 7849054

Claim:
A computer implemented method of providing a file stored in a computer implemented system with version information relating to a replicator application that is independent from an application used to create the file, the method comprising: receiving a request from the replicator application to create a version-specific property that is stored as part of the file, wherein the version-specific property comprises version information relating to the version of the replicator application used to create the version-specific property and wherein the replicator application creates redundant copies of files for back-up or performance purposes; creating the version-specific property that is stored as part of the file; maintaining the version-specific property to reflect relevant updates to the file by automatically invalidating the version information in response to a predetermined event, wherein the version-specific property comprises mask information providing information related to the predetermined events that invalidate the version information; receiving a request from the replicator application to evaluate the version-specific property; evaluating the version-specific property; and providing the version information to the replicator application in response to the request to evaluate the version-specific property.