Patent ID: 7395387

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, when executing causing a computer to perform steps of a method, the method comprising: initiating a backup operation; causing a writer program associated with an application, the application being associated with a plurality of components, each component describing at least one file, to create a metadata file identifying which of the plurality of components are selected for inclusion in the backup operation; making the metadata file available to a requestor; reading the metadata file to identify the selected components; obtaining a backup components file indicating a set of components to be backed up during a backup operation; annotating the backup components file to include instructions for facilitating at least one of the backup operation, and a restore operation; and performing at least one member of a group comprising: the backup operation on the identified components in accordance with the instructions in the backup components file, and the restore operation in accordance with the instructions in the backup components file.