For collaborative work as well as for multilevel or iterative data generation, modification, and processing, the use of a version control system that saves changes to files with a timestamp, author information, and a change note is a good idea. Earlier versions can thus be easily restored, and change histories can be documented and visualized.

An standard system for version control, for example, is Git. For collaborative work in groups or in the context of a project, as well as for the central management of multiple projects, solutions such as GitLab or GitHub are available. Various departments at Freie Universität currently have their own GitLab sites.