Command Line Reference

Executable

Meaning

BCompare.exe

bcompare

This is the main application.  Only one copy will run at a time, regardless of how many windows you have open.  If you launch a second copy it will tell the existing copy to start a comparison and exit immediately.

BComp.exe

This is a Win32 GUI program.  If launched from a version control system, it should work just fine.  If launched from a console window, the console (or batch file) will not wait for it.

BComp.com

This is a Win32 console program.  It has to have a console.  If you launch it from one (or a batch file) that console will wait for the comparison to complete before returning.  If you launch it from a version control system interactively, it will show a console window while it's waiting.

bcomp

Launch this program from a version control system because it will wait for the comparison to complete before returning.

Parameter

Meaning

Named Session

Opens the specified session in the appropriate view.  For example:

 BCompare.exe "My Session"

Named Workspace

Opens the specified saved workspace.  (see also Managing Workspaces)  For example:

 BCompare.exe "My Special Workspace"

Pair of folders

Opens a new Folder Compare view with the specified base folders.  For example:

 BCompare.exe "C:\Left Folder" "C:\Right Folder"

Pair of files

Opens the specified files in the associated file view.  For example:

 BCompare.exe "C:\Left File.ext" "C:\Right File.ext"

3 files

Opens a Text Merge view with the specified files in the left, right, and center panes.  For example:

 BCompare.exe C:\Left.ext C:\Right.ext C:\Center.ext

4 files

Opens a Text Merge view with the specified files in the left, right, center, and output panes.  For example:

 BCompare.exe C:\Left.ext C:\Right.ext C:\Center.ext C:\Output.ext

Script file

Automatically executes a list of commands without using a view.  For example:

 BCompare.exe "@C:\My Script.txt"

Settings package (.bcpkg)

Imports settings from package.

Patch file (.diff or .patch)

Opens the specified file in the Text Patch view.

-

Opens stdin in the appropriate view.  For example:

 dir | BCompare.exe -

Switch

Meaning

/?, /h, /help

Opens the help file to the "Command Line Reference" page.

Writes usage information to the console.

/automerge

Automatically merges files without user interaction unless conflicts are found.

/center=<filename>

Explicitly specifies the merge center file.

/closescript

Closes the script window on completion.  Overrides the Close when finished setting in Tools > Options > Tweaks > Scripts.

/edit

Opens a Text Edit view.

/expandall

Expands all subfolders during the initial folder comparison.

/favorleft

/favorright

Draws non-conflicting changes in the output from the "favored" side without coloring or section lines.  For ignored unimportant conflicts, changes are automatically taken from the "favored" side instead of the center.

/filters=<file masks>

Uses the specified name filter for the initial folder comparison.  Separate multiple file masks with semi-colons.  Surround the name filter with quotes if it contains spaces.

/force

Writes conflicts to the output with CVS-style markers if /automerge is present.

/fv=<type>, /fileviewer=<type>

Opens a new view of the specified type which can be any of:

   "Text Compare"

   "Text Merge"

   "Table Compare"

   "Hex Compare"

   "MP3 Compare"

   "Picture Compare"

   "Registry Compare"

   "Version Compare"

   "Folder Compare"

   "Folder Merge"

   "Folder Sync"

   "Text Edit"

   "Text Patch"

/iu, /ignoreunimportant

Turns on Ignore Unimportant Differences if /automerge is present.

/mergeoutput=<filename>

Explicitly specifies the merge output file.

/nobackups

Prevents the creation of backup files.

/qc=<type>, /quickcompare=<type>

Performs a quick comparison of two files and sets the DOS error level on exit.  The specified type can be size, crc, or binary.  If a type is not specified, a rules-based comparison will be performed.  Error levels are documented below.

/reviewconflicts

Opens a Text Merge view if /automerge is present and conflicts are found.

/ro, /readonly

Disables editing on all sides.

/ro1, /lro, /leftreadonly

/ro2, /rro, /rightreadonly

Disables editing on the respective side.

/savetarget=<filename>

Overwrites the specified file instead of original file when the file view's Save command is used.

/silent

Causes all interaction to be suppressed.  No Task Bar entry or window will be shown.  For settings packages, all settings will be imported.  For scripts, any unresolved issue that would normally show a dialog will log an error instead.

/solo

Forces a new instance of the program.

/sync

Opens a Folder Sync view.

/title1=<title>, /lefttitle=<title>

/title2=<title>, /righttitle=<title>

/title3=<title>, /centertitle=<title>

/title4=<title>, /outputtitle=<title>

Shows the specified description in the respective path edit.

/vcs1=<path>, /vcsleft=<path>

/vcs2=<path>, /vcsright=<path>

/vcs3=<path>, /vcscenter=<path>

/vcs4=<path>, /vcsoutput=<path>

Shows the specified version control system path in the respective path edit unless a title has been provided.  For a file view, the specified path is also used to pick the appropriate file format.

Code

Meaning

0

Success

1

Binary same

2

Rules-based same

11

Binary differences

12

Similar

13

Rules-based differences

14

Conflicts detected

100

Unknown error

101

Conflicts detected, merge output not written

102

BComp.exe unable to wait until BCompare.exe finishes

103

BComp.exe cannot find BCompare.exe

104

Trial period expired

105

Error loading script file

106

Script syntax error

107

Script failed to load folders or files