A data repository defined by a single logical specification includes a
data store including a plurality of tables and a view of the plurality of
tables, a data dictionary including a meta-table and means to generate
the data store, where the meta-table is generated from the single logical
specification defining the data repository, and a merge engine configured
to merge incoming data with the data store based on match attributes
defined by the single logical specification, where the incoming data is
stored in at least one staging area.