Method for determining if data item characteristics in periodically updated and replaced files have unexpectedly changed

A method for verifying computer generated data in periodically updated and replaced files to determine if data item characteristics in said files have changed in an unexpected manner, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing identifying information for each of said files to create a file information parameters file for each of said files, whereby said files can be compared across time;
• selecting a first version of each of said data item characteristics from each of said file information parameters files;
• compiling record layout information from said file information parameters file of each of said files into a single file;
• creating a new data item parameter file which includes said new data item characteristics;
• selecting a second subsequent version of each of said data item characteristics from said new data item characteristics file;
• analyzing said first version of each of said data item characteristics and said second subsequent version of each of said data item characteristics to produce first and second statistical profiles therefor;
• comparing said first and second statistical profiles of each of said data item characteristics to each other to determine if any of said data item characteristics have changed in an unexpected manner;
• and
• monitoring said files being periodically updated and replaced to determine if said data item characteristics in said files have changed in an unexpected manner.