Patent ID: 7349926

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: renaming a data file of a computer system while permitting lock-free look-ups to the data file by utilizing a temporary record to which look-ups to the data file are directed while the data file is being renamed, comprising: creating a temporary record within a hash chain encompassing a record for the data file and corresponding to a location of the data file within the computer file system; linking the temporary record within the hash chain so that the temporary record points to a before record to which the record for the data file points and to an after record to which the record for the data file points; renaming the record for the data file with a new name; and, removing the temporary record from the hash chain, wherein while the temporary record exists within the hash chain, look-ups of the data file resolve to the temporary record, such that the temporary record causes the look-ups to wait until the record for the data file has been renamed and the temporary record removed.