# Understanding virtual environment versions ## Introduction A virtual environment `version` is where you configure which process flow components (connector instances, caches, scripts, etc.) to replace when flows are run for this environment. During its lifecycle, a single virtual environment version can move through three statuses: * Draft * Deployed * Inactive ## The lifecycle of a virtual environment version Each new `draft` version increments the version number. During its lifetime, this version moves through status changes, but the version number is retained. This cycle is illustrated below:

From here you can see: * When a virtual environment is first created, a `draft` version is added automatically. * When the `draft` version becomes `deployed`, a new `draft` version is generated from the previous one, automatically. * When the latest `draft` is updated and deployed, the previously `deployed` version becomes `inactive`. * A maximum of [five versions](#what-happens-when-my-virtual-environment-version-exceeds-five-versions) can exist for a given virtual environment at any time. When this limit is reached, the oldest `inactive` version is overwritten with each subsequent version deployment. ## What happens when my virtual environment version exceeds five versions? As noted above, a given virtual environment can have a maximum of five versions at any time. When this limit is reached, the oldest `inactive` version is overwritten with each subsequent version deployment. The table below steps through a repeated lifecycle so you can see how this works:

Action	Draft version	Deployed version	Inactive version
Virtual environment created	#1	-	-
Draft version deployed	#2	#1	-
Current draft updated & deployed	#3	#2	#1
Current draft updated & deployed	#4	#3	#1 and #2
Current draft updated & deployed	#5	#4	#1 and #2 and #3
Current draft updated & deployed	#6	#5	#2 and #3 and #4
Current draft updated & deployed	#7	#6	#3 and #4 and #5

{% hint style="info" %} You can [delete](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/virtual-environments/managing-virtual-environments-versions-and-flows/managing-virtual-environment-configuration-versions/deleting-a-virtual-environment-version) `inactive` or `draft` versions, if required. {% endhint %} ## Versioning rules for virtual environments The table below provides more information for each virtual environment status.

Status Set when... Notes

Status	Set when...	Notes
`Draft`	A new virtual environment is added An existing `draft` version is deployed A `deployed` or `inactive` version is used to create a draft.	Only one `draft` version can exist for a given virtual environment. Only the `draft` version can be edited. To update the current `deployed` version or an `inactive` version, you should create a draft version from it first.
`Deployed`	The existing `draft` version is deployed. An `inactive` version is deployed.	Only one `deployed` version is ever associated with a given virtual environment. When a virtual environment is `deployed`: The deployed configuration is used when any associated flow versions run. This virtual environment becomes available for selection when deploying process flows. This virtual environment becomes available for selection when testing a process flow against a virtual environment, using the advanced run option. You can't edit a `deployed` version, however, you can create a new draft from it.
`Inactive`	An updated `draft` or currently `inactive` version is deployed	Each time a `draft` or (less commonly) `inactive` version is deployed, a new `inactive` version is created from the previously `deployed` version. If the maximum of five versions is reached for a virtual environment, the oldest inactive version is overwritten with each new deployment. You can't edit an `inactive` version, but you can create a draft version from it and go through the lifecycle again. You can also deploy an `inactive` version or delete it.

Draft

A new virtual environment is added
An existing draft version is deployed
A deployed or inactive version is used to create a draft.

Only one draft version can exist for a given virtual environment.

Only the draft version can be edited.

To update the current deployed version or an inactive version, you should create a draft version from it first.

Deployed

The existing draft version is deployed.
An inactive version is deployed.

Only one deployed version is ever associated with a given virtual environment. When a virtual environment is deployed:

The deployed configuration is used when any associated flow versions run.
This virtual environment becomes available for selection when deploying process flows.
This virtual environment becomes available for selection when testing a process flow against a virtual environment, using the advanced run option.

You can't edit a deployed version, however, you can create a new draft from it.

Inactive

An updated draft or currently inactive version is deployed

Each time a draft or (less commonly) inactive version is deployed, a new inactive version is created from the previously deployed version.

If the maximum of five versions is reached for a virtual environment, the oldest inactive version is overwritten with each new deployment.

You can't edit an inactive version, but you can create a draft version from it and go through the lifecycle again. You can also deploy an inactive version or delete it.