Afile change log tracks changes to the namespace (files and directories) of afile system. Depending on the implementation, a file changelog in computing will record changes such as creates, links, unlinks (deletions), renamed files, data changes, and metadata changes (for example,ACLs and permissions). A file change log can be accessed as a file in the file system, or hidden and accessed only programmatically.
A file change log differs from a file system'sjournal.
Such a log can serve at least two purposes. First, some applications must scan an entire file system to discover changes since their last scan. By reading a file change log, they can avoid this scan. Scanning applications includebackup utilities,web crawler,search engines, and replication programs. Second, the log can serve as an audit record for activity in a file system.
Some applications and software provide functionality to create a file change log. For exampleAdobe Acrobat 9 allows users to create a file change log for documents withBates numbering which is typically used in thelegal profession.[1]
Incyber security it can be used for monitoring and to determine conflicts with compatibility issues.[2]
The log is also used in accounting and business management to monitor bills, inventories and changes by individuals to these records.[3]