Together, three components identify a unique audit. Each component must exist to allow an audit to run.
Rule - A program by which an audit is defined and invoked. Each rule shipped with MIMIX pre-defines a compare command to be invoked and the possible actions that can be initiated, if needed, to correct detected problems. When invoked, each rule can check only the class of objects associated with its compare command. Names of rules shipped with MIMIX begin with the pound sign (#) character.
Data group - A data group provides the context of what to check and how results are reported. Multiple audits (rules) exist for each data group.
Schedule - Each unique combination of audit rule and data group has its own schedule, by which it is automatically submitted to run. MIMIX ships default scheduling information associated with each shipped rule. Scheduling can be adjusted for individual audits. A manually invoked audit can be thought of as an immediate override of scheduling information.
Although people use the terms “audit” and “rule” interchangeably, a rule is a component of an audit. The process of auditing runs a rule program.