> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dqlabs.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> What a Comparison metric is in Prizm — validates consistency between two datasets for migration, reconciliation, and pipeline checkpoint verification.

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## What is a Comparison metric?

Comparison metrics validate **consistency between two datasets** — computing a metric value from each source and evaluating the difference, ratio, or percentage deviation between them. They are the primary tool for cross-environment validation, migration integrity testing, pipeline checkpoint verification, and ongoing reconciliation between source systems and downstream targets.

**Type:** User-defined — Comparison metrics are created manually. Navigate to **Metric → Add** and select **Subcategory: Comparison**.

Comparison metrics answer the question: *Do these two datasets agree — and by how much do they differ?*

Prizm computes the configured metric from both sources on each run, records the deviation, and trends it over time. Alerts fire when the deviation exceeds the configured tolerance threshold or when a baseline drift is detected.

### Metrics

| Metric     | Category       | Sub Category | Asset Level | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| ---------- | -------------- | ------------ | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Comparison | Reconciliation | Comparison   | Asset       | Computes a metric value (count, sum, average, or custom expression) from two independent datasets and evaluates the difference or ratio between them. Supports metric-to-metric, profile-to-profile, and row/value-level comparison modes. Datasets can be on different platforms. |

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Setup" icon="sliders" href="/architecture/metrics/comparison/setup">
    Step-by-step guide to creating and configuring a comparison metric.
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  <Card title="Use Cases" icon="lightbulb" href="/architecture/metrics/comparison/usecases">
    Real-world examples — migration validation, staging vs. production parity, pipeline checkpoints.
  </Card>
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