Document Link Counter for Memory Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack efficient methods for managing and securing target files linked to referring documents, particularly in conserving memory on server computers and ensuring proper deletion and security of target documents.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that manages target files by updating counters and databases, allowing for secure deletion of target documents when no longer linked, and provides authorization for viewing target documents, utilizing a master server and client computers to handle referrals and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If target documents are stored on server computers to be linked by referring documents, then document sharing and collaboration are improved, but memory consumption on server computers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining use counters that track the number of referring documents linking to each target document. Before deleting target documents, the system checks these counters to ensure no active references exist, preventing orphaned links and ensuring data integrity while enabling automatic cleanup of unused documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic deletion mechanisms. When the use counter for a target document reaches zero, the system automatically deletes the target document without requiring manual intervention, thereby conserving server memory while maintaining document sharing capabilities.
2Quantity of substance
If target documents are deleted when no longer linked, then memory conservation is improved, but risk of deleting still-referenced documents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through use counters that continuously track the number of referring documents. This feedback loop ensures that target documents are only deleted when the counter indicates zero references, providing reliable deletion safety while enabling memory conservation by removing truly unused documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking the use counter before executing deletion. This preliminary action ensures that only target documents with zero references are deleted, preventing accidental removal of still-referenced documents while enabling safe memory conservation.
3Reliability
If security authorization is implemented for viewing target documents, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by using a standardized authorization mechanism that works across all target documents regardless of their source or type. The same security checks and authorization protocols are applied universally, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining robust data security through consistent enforcement.
4Productivity
If counters are maintained to track referring document links, then automatic deletion capability is improved, but memory and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use counters serve the dual purpose of enabling automatic deletion capability while requiring minimal overhead. The counters automatically decrement when referring documents are deleted and increment when new references are created, providing productive automatic deletion without requiring complex management infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for managing target documents referred to by referring documents. A user sends a delete request for a referring document from a user client computer to a master server computer. Next, the master server computer accesses and deletes the referring document, updates a counter for a target document hypertext linked to the referring document, and updates a database, which contained the deleted referring document. The master server computer then determines whether the count for the counter of the target document equals zero. If the counter for the referring document is not equal to zero, the master server computer sends a message to the user indicating that the referring document has been deleted and sends a message to the user asking whether the user wants to delete another referring document. If the user wants to delete another referring document the process goes back to the initial process step, and the user sends another delete request for a referring document. However, if the counter for the referring document equals zero, the master server computer sends a message to the user indicating that the referring document has been deleted and then sends a message to an author of the target document (author client) asking whether the author client wants to delete the target document. Automatic deletion of target documents is also disclosed. Further disclosed are systems and methods for viewing, creating, and providing security for target documents referred to in referring documents.