Folder Comparison (File Compare/Merge Options)

These option settings apply only to folder comparisons which are only available in the external version of File Compare/Merge, accessed from the Start Menu. To access these options, choose Tools > Options > Folder Comparison .

Main Folder Comparison Options

In a single paragraph, describe the major components in the diagram.

Tree Font

Sets the font style and size displayed in the result panes.

Ignore Extensions

Designates any file extensions to ignore while comparing folders, for example, dll;exe

Show Only Extensions

Designates only specific file extensions to show while comparing folders.

Ignore Folders

Enables you to list folders that you wish to ignore while comparing folders.

Do Not Show Empty Folders

Ignores empty folders while comparing folders.

Use Compact View

Uses a compacted view if you have files in one folder that do not exist in another folder (files to be inserted). The view showing the folder without those files displays a collapsed color block as a line indicating that the files are not in the other folder. If the option is not selected, the view displays a full color block representing the missing files for the folder that does not contain the files.

Highlight Uncommitted Changes

Highlights uncommitted changes in the View pane.

Hide Unmodified Components

Hides all folders in which there are no differences so the only folders visible in the tree are the ones with differences.

Smart Comparison

You can apply these settings to compare folders at a more granular level.File Compare/Merge uses these options to find similar files regardless of folder structure and folder names.

Option
Description
Use File Names In File Matching

Specifies whether to use the file name or the content for comparison. If true, the file name is used to identify files that are the same. If false, the content will be used to identify files which are the same.

Match Files By Name When No Content Match Is Found

If true, File Compare/Merge uses the file name to compare file contents when the application cannot find any matches in the contents.

Use Folder Names In Folder Matching

Specifies whether to use the folder name for comparison. If true, the folder name is used to identify folders that are the same. If false, File Compare/Merge matches folders regardless of the name.

Maximum Number Of Lines In Matching Files

Specifies the number of lines read when comparing the contents of two files. Differences past the specified maximum number of lines are ignored

Rate Of Proximity In File Matching

The percentage of similarity in comparing files with similar content.

Use Alternative Tree Diff Algorithm

This algorithm behaves as follows:

The original folder structure for matched files is not kept and you cannot see (by using the quick switch button on the toolbar) the conventional comparison results and make appropriate copy operations.

Only the first encountered file that conforms to the matching criterion is kept. Uses a different approach to match folders that contain similar files.

Report Transformers

The Report Transformer options page enables you to define new transformers, edit existing transformers, or remove transformers from the list. These options are available whenever you choose to generate a report (click Generate Report in the toolbar). You can choose to use an empty transformer, use one of the predefined transformers, or create your own.

Report Transformers List

Displays the list of report transformers available for use in transforming XML files to various outputs.

Add/View & Edit

Allows you to add, view, or edit a report transformer XSL file using the Report Transformer Configuration dialog box.

Remove

Allows you to remove a selected report transformer from the list.

Color Preferences

Use the Color Preferences to control the colors displayed for file comparisons in the editor panes.

Component Type

Displays a list of the types of components that can be color coded in the File Compare/Merge window. The Background Color button automatically changes colors to reflect the type of component selected. The text preview area shows the current color configuration settings.

Background Color

Displays the color of the selected Component Type. This button also launches the Select Color dialog box where you can specify a different color.