How do you toggle between-
1. synchronization by contents and
2. synchronization by date?
The control (F9 and the "x2" button) for both modes seems to be common.
The help file explains the difference between the two modes, but does not elaborate on how to enter each mode specifically.
Situation: There are two sets of folders/files: one on the HD of a server and the other in a CD. Both sets are not directly related as "source->copy".
Some of the file-names might have been changed- I am not sure.
I want to find the difference and correct the situation. Since I can not compare dates (they are bound to be different), I want to use the contents mode; see the differing files and prepare a final set.
1. How do I force the synchronize by contents mode?
2. How do I locate file-pairs that have either-
a. Difference in names, but identical in contents? OR
b. Difference in contents, but identical in names?
Forcing the Synchronization mode: contents/date
Moderators: fgagnon, nikos, Site Mods
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nikos
- Site Admin
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F9 always does synchronization by dates. If you want content sync, Alt+F9 is for you (buried in Mark | Advanced menu)
the problem as far as your situation is concerned is that Alt+F9 will only compare files with the same name --- otherwise it wouldn't have a clue which file to pick.
if you suspect that files may have been renamed you can sort both panes by size (or date) and try to spot items with same sizes/dates. That could be a giveaway. Another possibility is try to obtain a CRC for the files -- unfortunately 2x won't help you here. Which reminds me I'll have to add a CRC column in x2!
the problem as far as your situation is concerned is that Alt+F9 will only compare files with the same name --- otherwise it wouldn't have a clue which file to pick.
if you suspect that files may have been renamed you can sort both panes by size (or date) and try to spot items with same sizes/dates. That could be a giveaway. Another possibility is try to obtain a CRC for the files -- unfortunately 2x won't help you here. Which reminds me I'll have to add a CRC column in x2!
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narayan
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: 2002 Jun 04, 07:01
In 2x, the directory comparison with F9 and ALT+F9 is limited to files only (folders are not touched).
In x2, can you extend this to show the difference recursively, so that the difference in subdirectories is also shown in one shot? (Alternatively, F9 should remain active when the user activates mirror browsing. When the user goes up/down the tree in the active pane, the other pane also remains synchronised, and the difference between the two new displays is again highlighted.) This will be very useful to compare near-equivalent directories; especially when the tree has multiple levels.
Also, since x2 already has CRC checks built in, can you provide folder comparison function based on CRC?
In x2, can you extend this to show the difference recursively, so that the difference in subdirectories is also shown in one shot? (Alternatively, F9 should remain active when the user activates mirror browsing. When the user goes up/down the tree in the active pane, the other pane also remains synchronised, and the difference between the two new displays is again highlighted.) This will be very useful to compare near-equivalent directories; especially when the tree has multiple levels.
Also, since x2 already has CRC checks built in, can you provide folder comparison function based on CRC?
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nikos
- Site Admin
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hey i haven't added a CRC column yet, it's in the pipeline though
i never added "deep" (recursive) synchronization within 2x since there's no way i can think of to fit it within the dual pane concept. The algorithm is not difficult but the results would have to pop up in a different window which for all intents and purposes would be a "different program", so why not use another sync-specializing program in the first place? We don't want to put all programmers out of business, surely! :)
mirror browsing should help you when you only have to deal with a few folders at a time. For more complicated stuff, something like WinDiff (comes freemans with platform SDK) should do the job
i never added "deep" (recursive) synchronization within 2x since there's no way i can think of to fit it within the dual pane concept. The algorithm is not difficult but the results would have to pop up in a different window which for all intents and purposes would be a "different program", so why not use another sync-specializing program in the first place? We don't want to put all programmers out of business, surely! :)
mirror browsing should help you when you only have to deal with a few folders at a time. For more complicated stuff, something like WinDiff (comes freemans with platform SDK) should do the job
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narayan
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1430
- Joined: 2002 Jun 04, 07:01
I think the dual pane arrangement is ideally suited for finding difference recursively, too. As I had suggested, if both F9 and CTRL+M commands can work simultaneously, then we have it made: The synchronized panes will keep on highlighting the difference as the user goes through his directory; without the need to popup multiple windows.the results would have to pop up in a different window which for all intents and purposes would be a "different program",
(Of course, the user has to go to all branches, to make sure that all the differences are covered.)