Verifying file versions in a networked computing environment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for identifying a most recent version of an electronic file (e.g., prior to or while the electronic file is being opened). In one embodiment, an application programming interface (API), plug-in, or the like, can enable both file management tools and on-line repositories to exchange file information. Along these lines, this approach can be especially useful for common business assets such as textual documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Moreover, this approach is a “pro-active” function in that it does not require the user to consciously seek out and determine if a newer version is available. The implementation of the method performs this function automatically. In a typical embodiment, when a request to open an electronic file is made, the electronic file is compared to a set of electronic files stored in at least one repository. Along these lines, the comparison can be made based on any information that would indicate a recency or timing of the documents. Examples include (among others), content within the files themselves and meta data associated with the files (e.g., time stamps, word counts, version identities, file names, markups, markup meta data, font/pitch sizes, font colors, or content formatting, etc.). Regardless, based on this comparison, it will be determined (before the electronic file is opened) whether the electronic file comprises the most current version. If not, the most current version is identified from the set of files.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for identifying a most current version of an electronic file in a networked computing environment, comprising:
 receiving a request to open the electronic file;   comparing the electronic file directly to each of a set of electronic files that are versions of the electronic file stored in at least one repository in the networked computing environment to determine, based on the comparing, differences between a content within the electronic file and corresponding content within each of the set of electronic files;   comparing meta data associated with the electronic file and contained within the electronic file with meta data associated with the set of electronic files and contained within the electronic file, the meta data comprising at least one of font/pitch sizes, font colors, or content formatting;   determining if the electronic file comprises the most current version based on the comparing before the electronic file is opened;   identifying the most current version from the set of files if the determining indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version; and   responsive to the identifying, automatically opening the most current version.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the determining comprising determining if the electronic file comprises a most current version of the content based on the comparing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , the identifying comprising identifying the most current version of the content from the set of files if determining indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version of the content. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , the meta data associated with the electronic file and the meta data associated with the set of files further comprising at least one of the following: time stamps, word counts, version identities, file names, markups, or markup meta data, font/pitch sizes, font colors, or content formatting. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , the comparing, the determining, and the identifying being performed using an application programming interface (API). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment. 
     
     
         7 . A system for identifying a most current version of an electronic file in a networked computing environment, comprising:
 a bus;   a processor coupled to the bus; and   a memory medium coupled to the bus, the memory medium comprising instructions to:
 receive a request to open the electronic file; 
 compare the electronic file directly to each of a set of electronic files that are versions of the electronic file stored in at least one repository in the networked computing environment to determine, based on the comparing, differences between a content within the electronic file and corresponding content within each of the set of electronic files; 
 compare meta data associated with the electronic file and contained within the electronic file with meta data associated with the set of electronic files and contained within the electronic file, the meta data comprising at least one of markups or markup meta data; 
 determine if the electronic file comprises the most current version based on the comparison before the electronic file is opened; and 
 identify and automatically open the most current version from the set of files if the determination indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , the memory medium further comprising instructions to determine if the electronic file comprises a most current version of the content based on the comparison. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , the memory medium further comprising instructions to identify the most current version of the content from the set of files if determining indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version of the content. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , the meta data associated with the electronic file and the meta data associated with the set of files further comprising at least one of the following: time stamps, word counts, version identities, file names, font/pitch sizes, font colors, or content formatting. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment. 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product for identifying a most current version of an electronic file in a networked computing environment, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, to:
 receive a request to open the electronic file;   compare the electronic file directly to each of a set of electronic files that are versions of the electronic file stored in at least one repository in the networked computing environment to determine, based on the comparing, differences between a content within the electronic file and corresponding content within each of the set of electronic files;   compare meta data associated with the electronic file and contained within the electronic file with meta data associated with the set of electronic files and contained within the electronic file, the meta data comprising word counts;   determine if the electronic file comprises the most current version based on the comparison before the electronic file is opened;   identify the most current version from the set of files if the determination indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version; and   responsive to the identifying, automatically opening the most current version.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium to determine if the electronic file comprises a most current version of the content based on the comparison. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage medium to identify the most current version of the content from the set of files if determining indicates that the electronic file does not comprise the most current version of the content. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , the meta data associated with the electronic file and the meta data associated with the set of files further comprising at least one of the following: time stamps, version identities, file names, markups, markup meta data, font/pitch sizes, font colors, or content formatting. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , the networked computing environment comprising a cloud computing environment.