How to efficiently version records in an SQL database

Question

In at least one application, I have the need to keep old versions of records in a relational database. When something should be updated, instead a new copy would be added and th

Answer 1

If you need old data being part of your business logic then:

• Save latest version in master table.(insert and update, delete will just change the status column)
• Take snapshot when an update happens in detail table(before any update an snapshot will be created).

• Another alternative will be Event Sourcing pattern.
  
  

If old data is just a trace log of changes then:

• An Entity–attribute–value approach may come in handy. An implementation sample can be found here.