Clarify understanding of VirtualBox snapshots re deleting -
as part of testing installation , function of application, deploy fresh virtualbox guest each time. in order this, first installed fresh copy of guest os vm , made snapshot, intent being revert snapshot before each test run.
however, there 1 small change made after event (i seem miss something). mounting of host drive keep test scripts , application data there , run single command on guest kick off , report on everything.
so made changes, took snapshot, , situation now:
baseline (22 days ago) | +- hostmounted (21 days ago) | +- current state
since don't need baseline more, , build system takes huge amount of space, i'd rid of it. however, being paranoid type, wanted confirm:
will deleting baseline
snapshot still leave me identical hostmounted
? i'm looking ensure end with:
hostmounted (21 days ago) | +- current state
i've looked @ doco , various posts on discussion groups seem ambiguous me.
the hostmounted
snapshot can considered standalone one. deleting other snapshots not change in way.
in other words, if snapshots stored simple difference between previous state , snapshot, deleting previous state roll necessary changes snapshot.
this supported virtualbox documentation (my emphasis):
you can restore snapshot right-clicking on snapshot have taken in list of snapshots. restoring snapshot, go (or forward) in time: current state of machine lost, , the machine restored exact state in when snapshot taken.
so can safely delete baseline
if it's no longer needed.