Steve Data Modeling: Mastering Version Control Strategies
Introduction:
In this blog, we will explore two distinct approaches to handle record versioning in data modeling, providing you with insights and strategies to efficiently manage multiple versions of records and their associated child records.
These strategies are essential for designers working on object models where version control is crucial.
Understanding Record Versioning Approaches
There are two primary approaches to handle record versioning:
Peer Records Approach
Child Versions Approach
Let’s delve deeper into each approach to understand their implementation, advantages, and disadvantages.
Peer Records Approach
In the Peer Records Approach, each version of a record is created as a separate, equal record under a top-level object. This method is straightforward and is exemplified by how Salesforce implements quotes under opportunities.
Implementation:
Each version is a separate record under a top-level object.
You can indicate one of the records as the primary, but all versions are visible in list views, related lists, and reports.
Advantages:
Simple and straightforward to implement.
Disadvantages:
All versions are visible, making it hard to distinguish between them.
There isn’t a clear linkage or audit trail between different versions.
Without proper enforcement, there might be multiple primary or in-progress records.
Child Versions Approach
The Child Versions Approach involves creating two levels of objects: a top-level parent object and a child object for each version. This approach allows for a clean versioning and change log system.
Implementation:
A top-level object represents the configuration, with child objects representing each version.
Each child version auto-increments and has a status (e.g., archived, active, pending).
The active version is locked and used for production, while a draft version can be edited.
Upon activation of a draft, it becomes active, and the previous active version is archived.
Advantages:
Provides a clear audit trail and historical documentation.
Ensures only one active version at a time.
Archived records serve as unaltered historical records.
Disadvantages:
Might seem complex for some users, but necessary for important processes like flows.
Salesforce Implementation Example
Salesforce implements a similar approach with flows. In Salesforce, there is a top-level flow object with child flow versions. Each version is auto-incremented, providing a detailed historical record of each flow, its creation, and activation dates.
This implementation ensures that only one flow is active at a time, providing a reliable and efficient version control mechanism.
Section 5: Conclusion
Understanding and choosing the right approach for record versioning is crucial in data modeling. While the Peer Records Approach is simple, the Child Versions Approach offers more control and an efficient audit trail. By studying Salesforce’s implementation and considering your specific data modeling challenges, you can select the approach that best fits your needs.
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