3-way compare?

[eric.r.cain]

I'd really like to compare 3 files, not merge them. Or, at least make all three panes editable. Is this possible, and if so, how can I get this to happen.

[Aaron]

A 3 way text comparison is not currently supported and our Text Merge session does not allow editing of any of the top panes. Adding a 3-way text compare is on our wishlist.

[Skooting]

A 3 way text comparison is not currently supported and our Text Merge session does not allow editing of any of the top panes. I use Phen375 and wrote about it on https://skinnyexpress.com/phen375-review-and-results recently. Adding a 3-way text compare is on our wishlist.

I haven't used Text Merge in a long time unfortunately, has text comparison been added in any of the latest versions? I know it was on your wishlist.

[Aaron]

Hello,

Unfortunately, it is not a project we've been able to tackle. The workaround would be to use our 2 way Text Compare, comparing one pair of files at a time.

[mgutt]

I installed Beyond Compare yesterday the first time and 3-way compare is the only reason why I wanted to use a merge tool. Finally I'm forced to use an other tool. I would be happy throwing money on the screen because I think BC has a really good UI. So please think again about adding this feature.

I tried the 3-way merge but I must admit that I did not understand what happens in the fourth window. It contains rows that I don't want there as they would break the complete code. I think its because I'm comparing file versions with many changes in them?! I don't really know, but 2-way compare has exactly the functionality I'm searching for, but it misses the 3rd way

[Chris]

The three way merge assumes the center pane is a common ancestor of the left and right files. If the center is an independent file, then it might not be able to do a good job of generating an automated merge for the 4th output pane at the bottom.

[mgutt]

The automatic is the reason why I need text compare only.

Altough you should think about changing the UI so its self explaining what left/center/right really means. Maybe through adding a click-by-click tutorial.

[Aaron]

Sorry, what do you mean by needing automatic merging in a compare?

In order to auto-merge, general (independent of BC4) merge logic would require defining an Ancestor and 2 decedents (Yours and Theirs). There is no way to auto-merge 3 equally weighted inputs. BC4 does not support arbitrarily defining which pane is the Ancestor, but requires it to be the Center pane.

Terminology wise, a 3-way Compare pane would be 3 equally weighting panes, side by side. A 3-way Merge has 2 or 3 input panes that merge into a 3rd/4th Output pane. If you need any kind of automatic merging of the files, you would need a Merge session and not a Compare session; but it's a matter of making sure you have proper inputs from your version control software.

We've had a couple pop-up tutorials in BC2, but received a lot of negative feedback, so we've toned done the number of pop-ups and aren't likely to implement more. Instead, we have a context sensitive Help '?' button in each dialog next to the Close 'X' button. This will launch the Help file to the article pertaining to the current view.

[mgutt]

Sorry, I did not explain it well. I meant I do not need an automatic at all.

[Aaron]

Ah! Well, that'd help explain it. Unfortunately, a full 3-way Text Compare is probably not a session type we'll be adding short term. The best workaround is two tabs of 2-way Text Compare sessions, where you can tackle one pair and then another.