20.1 File Compare (Revision #11)

The File Compare Tool provides users a method of depicting differences in the content between two text-based files. The results of a comparison display as a split-pane with line numbering down the center and connecting splines for identifying where the deltions, changes and additions occur. Each file takes up half of the comparison results window and can be vertically scrolled independently of the other. Differences are identified down to the character level, with background highlighting and text bolding as markers.

When differences are found, the highlight colors appear in the annotation bar on the right side of the results and can be used to quickly navigate to differences. If a marker in the annotation bar is used to navigate to a particular difference, a tick mark overlay shows where in the annotation bar the window has focus.

Displays graphically which lines in the content have been deleted from, added to or have been changed in some way from the original.

• Two files are identical if they have the same content.


• If they are not Identical they are highlighted different colors. The defaults are pink (deleted), purple (changed) or green (added). These colors can be changed under File->Options->Compare->Colors

File Diff Features

• Refresh: A "Refresh" button on the toolbar allows the user to requery for file changes in case any changes to the files have taken place.
• Save As HTML: The toolbar contains a "Save As HTML" button that allows the user to save the compare results to HTML so that they may be saved and emailed to other users. The save prompt provides the user different options such as layout, font, file name and the object choices.
• Preview in Browser: The toolbar contains a "Preview in Browser" button that allows the user to preview the last saved compare results, allowing quick access to the saved HTML.
• Drag & Drop of files into tool: A user can directly pick up a file from a file manager and drag & drop it into the text field instead of browsing for the file. The file text will get displayed in the text field and the file difference will be calculated.

File Compare Enhancements

• Multi selection of two files in the Scripts Browser allows launching the File Compare Tool with a right click.
• New style difference display with visual alignment using splines
• Line numbers are shown in the center divider, also shows current change and the number of changes as X/X
• Annotation bar next to the vertical scroll bar shows bird’s eye view of the changes
• Toolbar now has an option button - compare options button on the diff panel ... which now also includes color selection (added, deleted, changed)
• Shows the character differences in a modified line - highlights individual changes (words, characters) within modified block
• Save AS HTML ... new comparison preview in the HTML differences of a specific file - save to html button produces highlighted changes within modified block