[stellation-res] Versioning of persistent data structures.

["Jonathan Gossage" <jgossage@xxxxxxxx>]

I strongly recommend that we consider including version numbers in all data
structures that are persisted by Stellation or that are used in
inter-process communication. By doing this we make it very easy for us to
make changes to the database tables and XML files that we use without
requiring any involvement by the user.

When versions are recorded in persistent database structures it becomes very
easy for upgraded software to determine how to transparently upgrade the
structure, or in some cases how even to read the structure. I have just
completed a major recovery effort at work cleaning up after a situation
where version information was not persisted and it was not pleasant.

I would propose that separate version number sequences be used for each
separate versioned data structure. This is easier than trying to use numbers
that somehow relate to the product version.

If we were to do this, it should be done before the alpha release  because
once the potential for live data in the field exists, it becomes harder to
add down the road.

Thoughts?

Regards

Jonathan