Backtrack/Rewind Database

Backtrack is a permanent and irreversible operation that must be used with caution. It enables an administrator to identify a previous session and discard all subsequent sessions up to the present. This results in the permanent deletion of saved work beyond the selected session.

Each Save Work in a database creates a new session and these sessions are numbered sequentially. Each session has a number, a record of the user who saved the work, and the time and date that the save took place. In addition a text comment can be added at Save Work.

Below is an example of how a database has grown over time, the oldest sessions are to the left and most recent to the right.

This functionality is available only via the command line.

BACKTRACK <database name> TO <session number/stamp/time date>

For example, to backtrack to session 134, sessions 135 and 136 are permanently deleted, and the database is restored to its exact state as it was in session 134.

In the examples, the backtrack will appear identical to users, displaying the same earlier versions of the data. If database session 137 is backtracked, sessions 135&136 will be reinstated.

Note: Backtrack has a related command called Revert, this functionality does not permanently delete database session(s), refer to Revert Database.