Change in File Comparison report from 2.4 to 2.43.

[spieler]

When I upgraded from 2.4 to 2.43 I noticed a change in how the Line Numbers are displayed in the File Comparison report when doing an Over/Under layout. Previously each line had a line number next to it. If it was the same in both files, it had two numbers (27,30). Now, only the first line number is listed (L27=R30). This isn't so bad, but I think it flows better if all the numbers are listed instead of just the first one.

If the line was unique, then the line number was in the left column or right column (another easy check) and now you have to look for an L or R..

For the majority of my compares I print to postscript and then convert to pdf. When I do this, some of the horizontal lines do not show up until I zoom way in with Adobe Reader. It's kind of annoying when there's no horizontal line to help distinguish when one file ends and the other begins in a block of changed code!

First, can you make all the horizontal lines the same width? It appears there are a few that are thinner than the rest. I suppose one might be able to distinguish between thin and thick lines and use that to help know where you are at in the compare, but I always go to the line numbers.

As far as the line numbers, is there an option of going back to the old way? If I do the side-by-side layout, it gives me an option for line numbers -- perhaps you could put an option for displaying all line numbers for the over/under view. If you're going to stick with the L and R for unique lines, it would be better if they were at least justified, but as I have already said, I would prefer they be back in separate columns.

If all else fails, I'd go back to 2.4, but I already deleted my install file.

Thank you!

[Chris]

Line Numbers:

I took a look at this, but I'm not seeing this behavior with the older version of BC. I used the Actions|File Differences Report command in 2.4 and 2.4.3 and they looked the same to me using the Over/Under Layout. It might be that my files aren't the same as the ones you're using to see the difference. If you would like the installer for 2.4, send an email to support@scootersoftware.com and I'll provide it to you.

Horizontal Lines:

I don't think the horizontal lines in printed output of the Over/Under Layout should be different sizes. Have you tried output direct to PDF instead of using PS to PDF? I tested printing directly to PrimoPDF and I didn't have any issues with lines dissapearing in Acrobat. (http://www.primopdf.com/)

[spieler]

Here's a concrete example with postscript converted to PDF from 2.40 (http://spieler.freeshell.org/bc/2_40.pdf) and 2.43 (http://spieler.freeshell.org/bc/2_43.pdf) .

The compares are not the same, but the output should be close enough. In the first example, the line numbers are in two columns while in the second there is a single column.

For the horizontal lines, look between the first two sections of code. In the 2.40, there is a visible line at 100%, while the 2.43 version shows nothing at 100%. If you zoom in to 400%, it's easy to see the line width of the line number section is thicker than the code section.

[Chris]

Thanks for the example PDFs.

It looks like the difference is that with the 2_240.pdf file you used a different report layout. I don't think this is a version difference.

The 2_240.pdf report is using the Composite layout for the file differences report.

The 2_243.pdf file is using the Over/Under layout.

Let me know if using Composite Layout still doesn't give you what you're looking for.

[spieler]

Um, yeah, that explains it...sorry about that! Thanks for straightening me out. My only hope in saving face is that the install didn't keep the previous option, although that'd still be a pretty weak argument.

It still looks like the lines are of a different thinkness, but since I don't plan on using that layout, that's fine with me!