Compare text, source code, XML files, and directories.
Code Compare is an advanced comparison (diff) and synchronization tool that compares text, source code, XML files and directories then, highlights differences and merges content via its visual interface. Code Compare can make version comparing and code reviews a much easier process.
Not added to windows context menus
Not as elegant as winmerge
Summary
I couldn't use it (line > 16384 error)
32Tudor
Pros
didn't get far enough to use it.
Cons
Instantly ran into an error that says "File contains a line greater than 16384 characters" and it couldn't compare the files.
Summary
I was attempting to use it on a Cognos XML model to try to find the source of a corruption that generates bad SQL.
Pros and Cons
jiminalaska
Pros
This product is good for identifying LINES that are different between two files.
Cons
* This product is poor at identifying differences WITHIN LINES. (major limitation)
* The comparison results window does not scroll for long lines. (minor limitation)
Summary
This product does a good job of identifying which lines in a file are different. Unfortunately, it is poor at identifying differences in fields WITHIN lines.
After getting the main Comparison Results window which lists the lines with differences, double-click on a line in question to see the differences within the line. An editor window opens. The left-hand portion of the line that is the same is green. The right-hand portion of the line that is different is red. The difficulty is that once a difference is encountered that changes the line length, everything past that change is marked as red. For example, if you compare a data file where one record has the name "JOHN" in it and the corresponding record has the name "JOHNNY" in it, everything after "JOHN" in both records is flagged as different, even though only the name field has changed. Hence, only the first changed field within a line is identified; all subsequent fields are red flagged whether or not there are differences.
While this program would work well for comparing files with short record lengths (such structured SQL scripts), it has limited usefulness in identifying specific field differences in long record lengths (such as .csv or .tab delimited files).
Works like its suppose to!
randyamos
Pros
Nice easy download to get up and running. highlights differences, gives summaries, ability to edit lines by double clicking on them. Just really easy to use! BONUS: Its free!
Cons
None - nice to have would be syntax highlighting.
Summary
This is a great text compare tool! easy to download and very easy to use. Highlights the differences plus shows a sidebar with lines marking the differences. Ability to double click on and edit lines on both sides plus you can insert lines by right clicking on the text. Move lines to either side to sync up, click on refresh to update the difference highlighting. I use it to compare SQL code and can't complain. I have used several compare tools (beyond compare, etc.), all cost money and this one is packed with alot of those features but won't cost you anything. Can't beat it!