Abstract: A system and method for file management is comprised of hierarchical files systems, referred to as “areas.” There are three types of areas: work areas, staging areas, and edition areas. A work area is a modifiable file system, and, in a work area a user can create, edit, and delete files and directories. A staging area is a read-only file system that supports select versioning operations. Various users of work areas can integrate their work by submitting the contents of their work area to the staging area. In the staging area, developers can compare their work and see how their changes fit together. An edition is a read-only file system, and the contents of a staging area are virtually copied into an edition to create a frozen, read-only snapshot of the contents of the staging area. One use of the system and method for file management is as a website development tool.

Abstract: A system and method for file management is comprised of hierarchical files systems, referred to as “areas.” There are three types of areas: work areas, staging areas, and edition areas. A work area is a modifiable file system, and, in a work area a user can create, edit, and delete files and directories. A staging area is a read-only file system that supports select versioning operations. Various users of work areas can integrate their work by submitting the contents of their work area to the staging area. In the staging area, developers can compare their work and see how their changes fit together. An edition is a read-only file system, and the contents of a staging area are virtually copied into an edition to create a frozen, read-only snapshot of the contents of the staging area. One use of the system and method for file management is as a website development tool.

Abstract: A system and method for file management is comprised of hierarchical files systems, referred to as “areas.” There are three types of areas: work areas, staging areas, and edition areas. A work area is a modifiable file system, and, in a work area a user can create, edit, and delete files and directories. A staging area is a read-only file system that supports select versioning operations. Various users of work areas can integrate their work by submitting the contents of their work area to the staging area. In the staging area, developers can compare their work and see how their changes fit together. An edition is a read-only file system, and the contents of a staging area are virtually copied into an edition to create a frozen, read-only snapshot of the contents of the staging area. One use of the system and method for file management is as a website development tool.

Abstract: A system and method for file management is comprised of hierarchical files systems, referred to as “areas.” There are three types of areas: work areas, staging areas, and edition areas. A work area is a modifiable file system, and, in a work area a user can create, edit, and delete files and directories. A staging area is a read-only file system that supports select versioning operations. Various users of work areas can integrate their work by submitting the contents of their work area to the staging area. In the staging area, developers can compare their work and see how their changes fit together. An edition is a read-only file system, and the contents of a staging area are virtually copied into an edition to create a frozen, read-only snapshot of the contents of the staging area. One use of the system and method for file management is as a website development tool.

Abstract: A method for enforcing workflow processes for website development and maintenance. Development and maintenance of a website may include the concerted efforts of plural persons. So that the work progresses in a predictable and orderly fashion, tasks are assigned and performed in accordance with a workflow. The workflow is an arrangement of tasks to be performed. The arrangement may include tasks performed in serial order, in parallel with each other or in combinations of serial and parallel. To enforce a particular workflow, the present invention provides an environment that constrains work to progress according to the workflow. An administrator, such as a “webmaster,” develops a workflow file that dictates how the efforts of users (or “contributors”) should progress. Accordingly, the webmaster has increased control over the processes by which the website is developed and updated. As a result, website development proceeds efficiently even where many persons are involved in the effort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically organizing and tracking website content during its deployment. Organizing and tracking may be done internally to a website development system during development and externally to outside destinations such as production servers that provide access to websites via the Internet or intranet. The method of internal deployment includes the process of deploying data among workstations, storage areas, such as a backing store, staging areas, editing areas and other internal areas during the development of website content. According to the invention, a tracking system is able to track such changes as the content is being created, including information regarding their source and history. The method of external deployment includes different schemes for deploying the finished website content to one or more destinations, such as production servers, including a method for tracking the external deployments as to what content is sent, to where and by whom.