In an address versioning model, what is the purpose of an active_version pointer?

In an address versioning model, what is the purpose of an active_version pointer?

• A. It points to the latest active version of the address, enabling historical tracking while keeping current data accessible.
• B. It stores metadata about who last updated the address.
• C. It determines which APIs can access the address data.
• D. It is used to validate postal codes.

Answer: (A)

In a versioned address model, the active_version pointer designates which version of the address is currently considered the live, usable one. This lets you fetch the current address quickly by following the pointer, while still storing all past versions for auditing, historical viewing, or rollback. The pointer keeps the current state accessible without losing the full history, and you can switch to another version if you need to view or revert to an older state. This concept is distinct from metadata about who updated the record, access control, or postal-code validation, which are handled by separate fields or mechanisms.