How snapshot views are distinguished from standard directories
The root directory of a snapshot view contains a hidden file, .view.dat (on the UNIX® system and Linux) or view.dat (on Windows® systems). When a (.)view.dat file is found in a directory, that directory is determined to be the root directory of a snapshot view.
The (.)view.dat file provides information that is used to perform operations on the files in the view. For example, from the (.)view.dat file for the view, the view tag for the view and the location of the view storage directory can be determined. If you delete this file inadvertently, the view is no longer identified as an HCL VersionVault object, and you can no longer perform HCL VersionVault operations on files or directories loaded in the view.
You can regenerate the (.)view.dat file.