Optimizing storage in a publish / subscribe environment

Abstract

Creating message files in a publication subscription computer system by: (i) receiving data corresponding to a first message; (ii) receiving a list of subscribers that subscribe to a topic of the first message; and (iii) creating a digital data file that includes a payload data and a consumption metadata. The payload data includes content data corresponding to the first message. The consumption metadata includes data relating to whether one or more subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for creating message files in a publication subscription system, the method comprising:
 receiving data corresponding to a first message;   receiving a list of subscribers that subscribe to a topic of the first message; and   creating a digital data file that includes a payload data and a consumption metadata;   wherein:   the payload data includes content data corresponding to the first message; and   the consumption metadata includes data relating to whether one or more subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 at the making step the consumption metadata indicates that all subscribers of the subscriber list will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 subsequent to the making step, updating the consumption metadata of the digital data file. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein:
 at the updating step and responsive to consumption of the first message by a first subscriber, updating the consumption metadata to indicate that the first subscriber can no longer potentially consume the message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein:
 at the updating step and responsive to unsubscription by a first user, updating the consumption metadata to remove the first subscriber from the consumption metadata. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 checking the consumption metadata to determine whether a deletion condition is met; and 
 on condition that the deletion condition is met, deleting the first message from at least one storage device. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the deletion condition is a condition that the consumption metadata indicates that there are no subscribers that can potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product for creating message files in a publication subscription system, the product comprising software stored on a software storage device, the software comprising:
 first program instructions programmed to receive data corresponding to a first message;   second program instructions programmed to receive a list of subscribers that subscribe to a topic of the first message; and   third program instructions programmed to create a digital data file that includes payload data and consumption metadata;   wherein:   the payload data includes content data corresponding to the first message;   the consumption metadata includes data relating to whether one or more subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message; and   the software is stored on a software storage device in a manner less transitory than a signal in transit.   
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 8  wherein:
 the third program instructions are further programmed to initially have the consumption metadata indicate that all subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 9  wherein the software further comprises:
 fourth program instructions programmed to update the consumption metadata of the digital data file. 
 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 10  wherein:
 the fourth program instructions are further programmed to, responsive to consumption of the first message by a first subscriber, update the consumption metadata to indicate that the first subscriber can no longer potentially consume the message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 10  wherein:
 the fourth program instructions are, responsive to unsubscription by a first user, update the consumption metadata to remove the first subscriber from the consumption metadata. 
 
     
     
         13 . The product of  claim 8  wherein the software further comprises:
 fourth program instructions programmed to check the consumption metadata to determine whether a deletion condition is met; and 
 fifth program instructions programmed to, on condition that the deletion condition is met, delete the first message from at least one storage device. 
 
     
     
         14 . The product of  claim 13  wherein the deletion condition is a condition that the consumption metadata indicates that there are no subscribers that can potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
     
     
         15 . A computer system for making message files in a publication subscription system, the computer system comprising:
 a processor(s) set; and   a software storage device;   wherein:   the processor set is structured, located, connected and programmed to run software stored on the software storage device;   the software comprises:
 first program instructions programmed to receive data corresponding to a first message, 
 second program instructions programmed to receive a list of subscribers that subscribe to a topic of the first message, and 
 third program instructions programmed to create a digital data file that includes payload data and consumption metadata; 
   the payload data includes content data corresponding to the first message;   the consumption metadata includes data relating to whether one or more subscribers of the first plurality of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein:
 the third program instructions are further programmed to initially have the consumption metadata indicate that all subscribers of the list of subscribers will potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the software further comprises:
 fourth program instructions programmed to update the consumption metadata of the single digital data file. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein:
 the fourth program instructions are further programmed to, responsive to consumption of the first message by a first subscriber, update the consumption metadata to indicate that the first subscriber can no longer potentially consume the message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the software further comprises:
 fourth program instructions programmed to check the consumption metadata to determine whether a deletion condition is met; and 
 fifth program instructions programmed to, on condition that the deletion condition is met, delete the first message from at least one storage device. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the deletion condition is a condition that the consumption metadata indicates that there are no subscribers that can potentially consume the first message at a later period in time from the time of receiving the content data corresponding to the first message.