Using versioning to back up multiple versions of a stored object

Abstract

Using a versioning feature of an authoring application to back up multiple versions of a stored object in single, version-enabled instance stored on backup media is disclosed. In some embodiments, an indication is received that a subsequent version data associated with an object an existing instance of which is stored in a backup storage location is to be backed up. A version control mechanism of an authoring application that created or updated the object as stored in a primary storage location is invoked to incorporate the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for performing a backup of a stored object, comprising:
 receiving an indication that a subsequent version data associated with an object stored by an authoring application on a primary storage device is to be backed up to a backup storage location, wherein the subsequent version data includes modifications to the object and wherein an existing instance of the object is already stored at the backup storage location, as determined by the authoring application at least in part by an object identifier associated with the object; and   invoking, by a backup application via an interface of the authoring application, a version control mechanism of the authoring application that created or modified the object to incorporate the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authoring application incorporates the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location by importing the subsequent version data from a shared storage location to the backup storage location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup storage location comprises a storage location on a secondary disk. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup storage location comprises a storage location on a backup server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the backup application or another process is configured to maintain in an index an indication that the object has been backed up but not version information for the object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authoring application is configured to use the existing instance as stored in the backup storage location to identify one or more versions available to be recovered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the authoring application is further configured to display to a user a displayed data indicating said one or more versions available to be recovered. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the authoring application is further configured to receive a selection of a desired version to be recovered; and recover the desired version. 
     
     
         9 . A computer system to perform a backup of a stored object, comprising:
 a primary storage device; and   a processor configured to:   receive an indication that a subsequent version data associated with an object stored by an authoring application on a primary storage device is to be backed up to a backup storage location, wherein the subsequent version data includes modifications to the object and wherein an existing instance of the object is already stored at the backup storage location, as determined by the authoring application at least in part by an object identifier associated with the object; and   invoke, programmatically under control of a backup application via an interface of the authoring application, a version control mechanism of the authoring application that created or modified the object to incorporate the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the authoring application incorporates the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location by importing the subsequent version data from a shared storage location to the backup storage location. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the backup storage location comprises a storage location on a secondary disk. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the backup storage location comprises a storage location on a backup server. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the backup application or another process is configured to maintain in an index an indication that the object has been backed up but not version information for the object. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the authoring application is configured to use the existing instance as stored in the backup storage location to identify one or more versions available to be recovered. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the steps of:
 receiving an indication that a subsequent version data associated with an object stored by an authoring application on a primary storage device is to be backed up to a backup storage location, wherein the subsequent version data includes modifications to the object and wherein an existing instance of the object is already stored at the backup storage location, as determined by the authoring application at least in part by an object identifier associated with the object; and   invoking, by a backup application via an interface of the authoring application, a version control mechanism of the authoring application that created or modified the object to incorporate the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location.   
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the authoring application incorporates the subsequent version data into the existing instance of the object as stored in the backup storage location by importing the subsequent version data from a shared storage location to the backup storage location. 
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the backup storage location comprises a storage location on a secondary disk. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the backup application or another process is configured to maintain in an index an indication that the object has been backed up but not version information for the object. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the authoring application is configured to use the existing instance as stored in the backup storage location to identify one or more versions available to be recovered. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the authoring application is further configured to display to a user a displayed data indicating said one or more versions available to be recovered.