1. A constrained computing device comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and a journaling component executed by the processor in kernel mode and configured to: receive information descriptive of a device control; allocate, in the memory, a variable record structured according to a variable definition associated with the device control; store the information within the variable record; receive updated information descriptive of the device control; allocate, in the memory, an update record structured according to an update variable definition; store the updated information within the update record; and link the variable record to the update record.