Abstract: Sets of files may be represented using signatures. As described, an audit system can scan a file hierarchy that includes a root directory and a plurality of elements (e.g., directories, data files, and archive files) to identify elements satisfying an element selection criteria. The audit system creates element descriptors by identifying, for each respective identified element, one or more element component values and creating an element descriptor from the element component values. The audit system forms a string descriptor comprising an aggregation of the element descriptors and generates a signature for the string descriptor. The signature may be stored in association with metadata for the root directory. The audit system can identify multiple sets of files represented by equivalent signatures and record the representations of the set of files compactly.

Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems for comparing sets of files using signatures. In general, in some implementations, an audit system compares a first plurality of signatures representing element information for a first file hierarchy to a second plurality of signatures representing element information for a second file hierarchy. The audit system determines, based on the comparison of the first plurality of signatures to the second plurality of signatures, whether the first file hierarchy is likely to be a modified copy of the second file hierarchy. In some implementations, the audit system compares signatures of a first signature type, selects a second signature type based on the comparison using the first signature type, and compares signatures of the second signature type. In some implementations, the second plurality of signatures is stored in a catalog of signatures representing various file hierarchies.

Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems for representing sets of files using signatures. In general, in some implementations, an audit system scans a file hierarchy comprising a root directory and a plurality of elements (e.g., directories, data files, and archive files) to identify elements satisfying an element selection criteria. The audit system creates element descriptors by identifying, for each respective identified element, one or more element component values and creating an element descriptor from the element component values. The audit system forms a string descriptor comprising an aggregation of the element descriptors and generates a signature for the string descriptor. The signature may be stored in association with metadata for the root directory. In some implementations, the audit system identifies multiple sets of files represented by equivalent signatures and records the representations of the set of files compactly.

Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems for comparing sets of files using signatures. In general, in some implementations, an audit system compares a first plurality of signatures representing element information for a first file hierarchy to a second plurality of signatures representing element information for a second file hierarchy. The audit system determines, based on the comparison of the first plurality of signatures to the second plurality of signatures, whether the first file hierarchy is likely to be a modified copy of the second file hierarchy. In some implementations, the audit system compares signatures of a first signature type, selects a second signature type based on the comparison using the first signature type, and compares signatures of the second signature type. In some implementations, the second plurality of signatures is stored in a catalog of signatures representing various file hierarchies.