Patent ID: 7200602

Claim:
A method for data set comparison and net change processing by a computer comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a first data set and a second data set, each of the data sets comprising at least one record reflecting at least one of a plurality of entities, the at least one record of the first data set having a persistent key; and (b) utilizing an algorithm to: (1) compare the second data set to at least a portion of the first data set; (2) identify or assign a persistent key of the first data set to a record in the second data set, if the record of the second data set matches the record of the first data set; and (3) create a journal database or file to include at least one entry reflecting the persistent key and at least one of: (i) at least one record in the second data set that is determined to not exist in the portion of the first data set; (ii) at least one record in the second data set that is determined to include at least one change to at least one record in the portion of the first data set reflecting an identical one of the plurality of entities; and (iii) at least one record in the portion of the first data set that is determined to not exist in the second data set.