A system and method that efficiently maintains multiple versions of a dataset using recursive calls is provided. The method may include fully storing one or more versions of the dataset and storing only changes, called deltas, that occurred from one version to another. Using recursive techniques eliminates the need to generate interim versions in their entirety to generate a requested version. For each position in the requested version the method may include generating content by recursive calls. Each recursive call may initiate a request on an adjacent version to produce content at its corresponding position. The request triggers a recursive call by the adjacent version, which may in turn initiate another request on its adjacent version. This series of recursive calls may be repeated until a fully stored version, which simply returns its content, is reached. The requested version may then generated using content generated for each position by the recursive calls.