Tips for archiving versions of files?

[sh4un]

Hello,

I like to collect and archive all my software that I download or use or think that I may need in the future.

Currently I keep the original downloaded file name, then append the version to the end so that I am able to keep many versions of the same software, I'm wondering what is the best way, sorry not the best, but a very good way to do this?

Do any of you guys/gals have a good way to do this? Do you keep the original filename and add something to the end of the filename such as the version? In what format exactly? Do you add anything to the beginning of the filename?

Here are some samples of what I mean

ccleaner[v1.0.0].exe
ccleaner[v1.5.0].exe
ccleaner[v4.0.0].exe
ccleaner[v7.0.0].exe

or perhaps something like:

ccleaner__[1.0.0].exe
ccleaner__[1.5.0].exe
ccleaner__[4.0.0].exe
ccleaner__[7.0.0].exe

etc.

How do you keep different versions/builds of the same file? Do you utilize comments or tags at all? Or just rely on the filename to give you the information you need so that you can easily identify/recognize versions/what you need?

[highend]

How do you keep different versions/builds of the same file?

Builds? via SVN
Files? Normally via different folders with their version number.

e.g.:
D:\Archive
D:\Archive\CCleaner
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.2
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.2\setup.exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.4
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.4\setup.exe
etc.

I don't like to rename my files for that kind of tasks

[sh4un]

thanks highend, that's is a very good way actually, I might switch to it! I believe I used to do it this way a while back, but got used to renaming files with version info on the end. Any reason you don't like to do it that way?

Are there any pro's vs con's for your method vs my method?

Mine: All version in same folder, but filenames changed from original to original+version, e.g.:

D:\Archive\CCleaner\ccleaner[v1.0.0].exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\ccleaner[v1.5.0].exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\ccleaner[v4.0.0].exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\ccleaner[v7.0.0].exe

Yours: Seperate folders for each version, e.g.:

D:\Archive
D:\Archive\CCleaner
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.2
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.2\setup.exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.4
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1.0.4\setup.exe

From what I can tell, your method doesn't involve modiyfing the original filename, which is a good thing. But involves creating extra folders for each version, which also isn't really a bad thing.

My method involves changing orignal filename, which isn't a good thing for me, but I only add the file version (if any) to the end, I don't modify anything else. Anybody else care to share their opinions or methods on the matter?

[highend]

It's all about personal preference, no real pros or cons for any method.

The reason why I like my method:

I tend to store additional files in the main folder of an application
that belong to all versions without cluttering the list of files that consists
only of names with their version number (it's easier to read because I can
separate these better).

E.g.:
D:\Archive\CCleaner
D:\Archive\CCleaner\.Homepage.url
D:\Archive\CCleaner\HowToInstall.txt
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v1\<file>.exe
D:\Archive\CCleaner\v2\<file>.exe
etc.

[j_c_hallgren]

I like to collect and archive all my software that I download or use or think that I may need in the future.

Currently I keep the original downloaded file name, then append the version to the end so that I am able to keep many versions of the same software, I'm wondering what is the best way, sorry not the best, but a very good way to do this?

Hi and welcome to the XY forums!

The method that I've been using for many years to keep my Downloads folder somewhat is order is to rename the downloaded file manually to a name that helps me later...and the most important reason I do so is to be able to know where it came from!

I always rename mine to format of: "vendor/source - product - vers" (or) "vendor/source - vers" (when it's same as product name)
And I'll put as much in vendor/source as needed to locate website from whence it came, like special domains, etc.

examples:
"2BrightSparks - SyncBack - Setup 3.26.exe" (vendor name is not same as product)
"NirSoft_net - Prot Strg Pass View - pspv.zip" (website not a .com as most are and filename not descriptive)
"TaxAct - ta11stdw.exe" (vendor same as product)

this has helped me re-locate stuff I've D/L'd a long time ago and want to fetch a current vers.