Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for critical patches for installation on a given computer system. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of obtaining an identification of installed components on the computer system, and obtaining a list of all relevant patches for the installed components. The method further generates a Boolean logic expression for each relevant patch, and evaluates each Boolean logic expression to determine a minimal set of patches to be installed, which minimal set of patches include all patches for all critical errors. In essence, a database containing all patch information for a given family, or all families, of software components of a computer system may be accessed, and a Boolean logic expression may be constructed for a given family of patches. Specifically, the Boolean logic expression may express which patches (or alternative patch configurations) should be installed in order to have all critical defects effectively patched. In one embodiment, the system may evaluate the current configuration of a given computer system to determine what patches are presently installed, and determine the fewest additional patches that need to be installed to correct or repair all critical defects in the family, or families, of software.

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First Claim