Methods, systems and computer program products for storing data that use
a rolling window file that maintains a defined file size while sequentially replacing
an oldest portion of previously stored data with new data are provided. The rolling
window file operates without the use of a wrap buffer implemented through manipulation
of a current offset pointer by moving a first storage region in a sequentially
linked plurality of storage regions associated with the rolling window file to
become the new last (or end of file) storage region associated with the file. Newly
received data may then be stored in the newly designated end of file storage region.
Operations moving the first region in the linked sequence to the last position
can repeat theoretically indefinitely as new data is received. Accordingly, a fixed
file length saving only the most recent data may be provided without ever reallocating
the regions, such as clusters of data under a file access table type file systems,
that are originally associated with the rolling window file.
