Abstract: A method for synchronising data between a receiving computer and a sending computer by way of a computer network or the like, wherein the sending computer has a source file and the receiving computer has a reference file. The source file is arranged at the sending computer into a sequence of data blocks, each block comprising a predetermined number of data units (e.g. bytes), and a source key value is computed for each block in the source file, and the source key values are transmitted to the receiving computer. At the receiving computer, the source key values are compared with reference key values computed for each predetermined number of contiguous data units in the reference file to determine matches between source key values and reference key values. Then, based on indications of which source keys do not have matching reference keys, specific data blocks are transmitted from the source file corresponding to the unmatched source keys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for maintaining application programs on a client computer in a client-server network environment. The task of dynamically upgrading components in the application program running on a client is greatly simplified by rendering control to the individual client rather than to a central server. The version updating procedures of the present invention further provide steps to ensure speedy and error-free transfer of the required files and components through an open network environment, such as the Internet.