The invention provides management of requested data files, such as large object
binary files (LOBs), to maximize storage space. An interface module provides translation
between a requesting application and a database containing the data files. The
interface module stores requested data files in a temporary directory which is
accessible by the requesting application. The interface module further generates
or duplicates data file names corresponding to each data file. The data file names
are sent to a clean module where the data file names are placed in a data structure.
The clean module includes a timing module which generates time stamps for each
data file name. The time stamps reflect the time of receipt for each data file
name and are stored in association with their respective data file names. The clean
module further includes a delete module which reviews the time stamps to determine
if a preestablished time delay has passed. Upon passage of the time delay, the
delete module generates a delete command to remove the corresponding data file
from the temporary directory.
