SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTRA-PACKAGE DELTA COMPRESSION (INTRA-PACKETDELTACOMPRESSION) OF DATA

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide file data of a set of files for updating a computer system by a self-contained package to remarkably reduce a package size by delta compression. SOLUTION: A build mechanism examines files to be distributed, and generates a self-contained package containing files and deltas. A directed graph is built of sizes of various available base files and delta files, and minimum spanning tree computation selects the files that result in the smallest package. The base files may have a plurality deltas applied to synthesize a plurality files. A client extraction mechanism optionally provided with the package works with contents of the package as directed by a manifest to synthesize target files from the base files and the contained deltas. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI