Must SIPs, DIPs and AIPs have separate copies of an object file?

Question

The OAIS model is a bit obscure on whether the same object file can be part of a SIP, DIP and AIP. Or whether each IP must have its own, separate, copy of that same file. Can anyone clarify?

TIA.

Answer 1

Short answers:

"yes it can be part of a SIP DIP and/or AIP"

and

"no there doesn't have to be separate copies."

 

Long answer:

The OAIS is mostly about defining terminology. Where it is silent I'd say it is up to us to interpret.

I personally see SIPs, DIPs and AIPs as conceptual. It is conceivable that a digital preservation system workflow could include putting a file in a folder, having a SIP created that references that file, having an AIP created that references that file and other backup copies that are made during the process, and having a DIP include the same file stored in that same original location as the mechanism for accessing that object.

Comments

I agree. I've seen several very successful archives that have defined SIPs, DIPs, and AIPs, as conceptual. They used the one copy of the object file for the SIP and AIP and then generated a temporary copy of the object file for DIPs as necessary.