Patent ID: 7996442
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of comparing multiple versions of data item definitions in a database comprising: generating a first version of comparison information relating to a plurality of data item definitions in the database by comparing information relating to data item definitions obtained from a first source and information relating to data item definitions obtained from a second source; and generating a second version of comparison information relating to a plurality of data item definitions in the database by comparing information relating to data item definitions obtained from a first source to the first version of comparison information and information relating to data item definitions obtained from a second source to the first version of comparison information; wherein each comparison comprises comparing data item definitions only when at least one data item has changed from the first version of comparison information, and storing only each comparison entry that results from new or changed data item definitions from the first source, the second source, or both, and wherein each comparison entry comprises a comparison state indicating, for each data item that is compared, whether the data item is present only in the first source, the data item is present only in the second source, the data item is present in both sources and is identical, or the data item is present in both sources and is different and wherein both the first source and the second source are dynamic and the second version is generated by performing a three-way comparison among the information relating to data item definitions obtained from the first source, the information relating to data item definitions obtained from the second source, and the first version of comparison information.