10865 Quick Compare

[chrisjj]

Sometimes the result is "= Binary Same" and sometimes "= Same". What's the difference?

[Aaron]

First, we determine if the files are binary equal (which is faster) and if they are binary equal they must be rules-based equal. If they are binary equal we display that. If they are not binary equal, we look to see if they are rules-based equal. If they are rules based equal, we display that they are "= Same" which is identical to how we display it in the Folder Compare.

Otherwise, the files are different, and we display that.

[chrisjj]

Thanks for the explanation.

> we display that they are "= Same" which is identical to how
> we display it in the Folder Compare.

(I've never seen "= Same" appear in the Folder Compare.)

[Erik]

I've never seen "= Same" appear in the Folder Compare.

It is not shown as commonly in BC3 as it was in BC2 because BC3 reports binary same as much as possible. However, here are a few of the cases in which it will be shown:

• Text files that only differ in encodings
• Text files that only differ in ending style (PC/Unix/Mac)
• Files that only have the same text after being converted (ex. "Sorted" file format)

[chrisjj]

What I meant was, re

> we display that they are "= Same" which is identical to how
> we display it in the Folder Compare.

I have never seen the (comparison result) of the Folder Compare display identical to "= Same". I have seen "=".

BTW, does the Help anywhere defined what's meant by "rule"? The topic "Rules vs File Formats" does not refer to rules at all. Thanks.


Rules vs File Formats

[Erik]

I have never seen the (comparison result) of the Folder Compare display identical to "= Same". I have seen "=".

Well, if you're going to be that literal, you've never seen it show "= Binary Same" either. Aaron just wrote it that way to try to be more clear (can't really type the binary image).

BTW, does the Help anywhere defined what's meant by "rule"?

"Rule" is a BC2 term that was used to describe how things were compared. In BC3, rules are generally considered to be the comparison session settings (all pages except "Specs"). The concept that is new in BC3 is "File Format" which are settings that help define a particular kind of file.

[chrisjj]

>> Well, if you're going to be that literal

"identical" is your (Scooters) word, not mine.

> you've never seen it show "= Binary Same" either.

Correct - I never said otherwise.

> Aaron just wrote it that way to try to be more clear

Sorry, but it didn't work here.

> In BC3, rules are generally considered to be the comparison session
> settings (all pages except "Specs").

OK, thanks. That's worth mentioning in the Help.