The Compare and Synchronize Monitor allows users to interrogate both workstation and mainframe source code and data files, and determine if any changes have occurred. If changes have occurred, then the user through configuration information, instructs the Monitor on the automatic action to be taken, such as downloading or uploading the change files. This enables an environment to be set up that allows a user to mirror workstation and mainframe files, and to automatically transport all changes to the mirrored counterpart.