Information includes states that are each representable by a number and that each corresponds to a characteristic. Each characteristic is assigned an index integer of an index, and has potential states from which the state corresponding to the characteristic is specified within the information. An engram value for each characteristic is equal to the number representing the state corresponding to the characteristic multiplied by a state base value for the characteristic. The state base value for each characteristic is equal to a base value to the power of the index integer assigned to the characteristic. The base value is identical for all the characteristics. An engram is based on the engram values for the characteristics. Engrams can be generated and can be compared to one another, to, for instance, determine whether a product can be compatibly installed in relation to a target system.