OS/2 Professional/OS2PRO194.ISO/os2/wps/utils/filecomp/pmflcomp.hlp

OS/2 Help File | 1994-01-20 | 17.5 KB | 459 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. PMFLCOMP PM File Compare Utility ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Version 1.42

PMFLCOMP is a general file comparison utility.  It runs under OS/2 2.0 or
higher and requires 6 megabytes of RAM.

OS/2 is a registered trademark of the International Business Machines
Corporation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. American Coders Ltd. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

American Coders, LTD.

Post Office Box 97462

Raleigh, NC   27624

[phone]

Compuserve ID: 74150,2370

Copyright 1993-94 American Coders LTD Raleigh NC USA

Programming Solutions For Your Business Register your copy today.  Fill out and
mail in the REGISTER.FRM file.  CompuSErve users can register by GO SWREG,
follow the instructions and use Registration ID 1918.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. How To Execute ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The program does not have an automatic installation routine. But if you do the
following steps you can make the program callable from the Desktop or folder of
your choice.

You will have to unzip the files into an existing directory.

Set it up in one of your folders, such as a folder where your productivity,
utility or programming tools are located.

Once done you can use the Drives template in the OS2 Systems folder. From there
specify the location to display the location of the executable file. Drag the
PMFLCOMP icon to the folder of your choice.

Or use the program template in the Template folder and do the same.

If you place the executable in a directory specified in the PATH paramater you
can, from the command line, type PMFLCOMP at the prompt.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. Version Changes. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Version 1.42 Jan. 15, 1994.

Corrected print problem with Hex Compare.

Corrected stack overflow problem.

Version 1.41 Jan. 3, 1994.

Made ascii and hex compares threads.

Version 1.31 Nov., 1993 - Not released.

Version 1.21 Sep., 1993.

Added hex and checksum compare.

Version 1.11 May, 1993

Initial release.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. What PMFLCOMP Is ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PM File Compare reads and compares the contents of two files. When there is a
mismatch, the mismatched data is shown in either the Comparison List Box or
Comparison Textual Container. As an alternative, use the checksum function for
quick compares.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. The Main Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The main window is made up of 4 pulldowns, File, Type, Options and Help; two
entry fields and either the comparison list box or container. Refer to Options.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. File Pulldown ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The File pulldown contains 7 choices:

o Old File

o New File

o Compare

o Stop

o Print

o Refresh

o Exit


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.1. Old File Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you select the Old File choice you will get the standard PM File Dialog
box. Use this dialog box to select the older of the two files you wish to
compare against. There is an alternative method, refer to Old File Entry Field.

The program does not verify that the old file is older than the new file. It
assumes nothing about file dates. Old/New compares run as if you specified them
chronologically correct.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.2. New File Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you select the New File choice you will get the standard PM File Dialog
box. Use this dialog box to select the newer of the two files you wish to
compare against. There is an alternative method, refer to New File Entry Field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3. Compare Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you select the Compare choice you start the comparison function. The
compare function will not start until both the Old File and New File have been
selected. The type of comparison depends on which comparison function you
choose ASCII or Hexadecimal.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4. Stop Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When you select the Compare choice you may need to STOP the comparison
function. The compare function is stoppable only for the ascii and hex compare
threads.  When Stop is chosen, any comparison information generated will remain
in the compare region.  This information can be removed by selecting the
Refresh choice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.5. Print Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Select this to print the contents of the comparison listbox.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.6. Refresh Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this to erase the contents from either the comparison listbox or
container.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.7. Exit Choice ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select this to exit the program.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Type Pulldown ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

o ASCII (Text)

o Hexadecimal

o Checksum


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.1. ASCII Comparison ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This will make the comparison process display a line by line comparison of the
two files. This is the default action.

The comparison function attempts to find differences and also similarities
between the two files. When the program finds a mismatched line it will look
ahead through both files to find a matching line. At each mismatch, the file
with the lowest matching line difference is considered to be the primary file.
The program will display all of the lines of the secondary file until the lines
realign as a match. This process continues until both files are completely
read.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.2. Hexadecimal Comparison ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This compares the two files on a byte by byte basis.  Mismatched data is shown
in 16 byte segments. Unlike the ASCII compare, which tries to find matching
data to resynch the comparison process, hex compare never looks ahead to
realigns the matching process. Because of this a lot of output can be
generated.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3.3. Checksum Comparison ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this for quicky compares. The dialog box shows a calcuated checksum of the
files. The closer the two checksum values the more likely the files are
similar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. Option Pulldown ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

o ASCII

o Hexadecimal

o Checksum


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. Ascii Comparison Choices ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options work only when doing an ASCII compare.

o Ignore Leading Spaces

o Ignore Trailing Spaces

o Ignore Blank Lines

o Translate Tabs


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1. Ignore Leading Spaces ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Tells the compare function to start comparing at the first non space character
for each line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.2. Ignore Trailing Spaces ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Tells the compare function to stop comparing at the last non space character
for each line.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.3. Ignore Blank Lines ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Tells the compare function not to compare a line if it is all spaces or
contains no data at all.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.4. Translate Tabs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this option for two purposes.

When you have the habit of sometimes using a tab character and sometimes you
don't.

When your favorite editor compresses text files by changing a bunch of spaces
into the tab character.

This is real handy when used with either the Ignore Space option.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6. Hex Choices ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options work only when doing a Hexadecimal compare.

o Show All Data


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.6.1. Show All Data ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Because the hexadecimal compare can generate a log of output the program is
limited to show only parts of the files that do not match. So if you wish to
see a complete hex dump of both files turn this option on.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.7. Font Choices ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These options starts up the PM Standard Font Dialog so that you can change the
way characters are displayed for the current comparison choice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.8. Help Pulldown ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For further information refer to documentation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.9. Within The Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Inside the window there are two entry fields and one list box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.10. Old File Entry Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the Old File name to select the older of the two files you wish to
compare against. There is an alternative method, refer to Old File Choice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.11. New File Entry Field ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter the New File name to select the new of the two files you wish  to compare
against. There is an alternative method, refer to New File Choice.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.12. Compare List Box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The list box shows the differences between the Old and New files. If a line is
found in the Old File that has no matching New File line it shows up in the
listbox as

Del(#xxxx) yyyyy
 where xxxx is the line number in the Old File and yyyyy is the mismatching
text. Similarly, if a line is found in the New File that has no matching Old
File line it shows up in the listbox as

Ins(#xxxx) yyyyy
 where xxxx is the line number in the New File and yyyyy is the mismatching
text.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.13. Compare Textual Container ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The container, which looks like 5 list boxes shows the  differences between the
Old and New files from a Hexadecimal view. Data is shown in 16 byte chunks. If
a byte is found in the Old  File that does not match a byte at the same
location in the New File the 16 bytes are shown. If all 16 bytes do match the
data is not shown  unless the Show All Data was selected. Each 16 byte group
shows up in the container as


uuuu vvvvvvvv wwwwww xxxxxxxx yyyyyyyy

o where uuuu is the 16 byte offset within each file.

o vvvvvv is the 16 bytes of hex data from the old  file (doubled up).

o wwwwww is the 16 bytes in character format of the old file.

o xxxxxx is the 16 bytes of hex data from the new  file (doubled up).

o yyyyyy is the 16 bytes in character format of the new file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. What PMFLCOMP Isn't ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PM File Compare will compare any two files.

Its main objective is to compare ASCII text file. But it will also present to
you a hexadecimal comparsion of two files when selected. The hexadecimal
compare genereates a lot of output. So much so -  that it may not be meaningful
for plain ascii text files.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Suggestions and Bugs. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Please call or write to us at our address with suggestions or to report bugs.

You can reach us through CompuServe by contacting Joe McVerry  74150,2370


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Shareware ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it.
If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to
register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration
while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the
software to an updated program with printed manual.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Copyright ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the
copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated
below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial
authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are
good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute
the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example,
some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may
copy their Shareware.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Distribution. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you
can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also.
Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of PM File Compare must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "PM File
Compare is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or
implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and
of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct
or consequential, which may result from the use of PM File Compare."


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Sharing PMFLCOMP ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

PM File Compare is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the
user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not
give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of
"user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality
software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that
you are using PM File Compare and continue to use PM File Compare after a
reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $45.00 to
American Coders, Ltd. The $45.00 registration fee will license one copy for use
on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a
book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and
may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is
no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at
another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same
time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Commercial Users ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Commercial users of PM File Compare must register and pay for their copies of
PM File Compare within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.
Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting American Coders, Ltd.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.2. Distributing ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Anyone distributing PM File Compare for any kind of remuneration must first
contact American Coders, Ltd. at our address. below for authorization. This
authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the
(ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such
distributors may begin offering PM File Compare immediately (However American
Coders, Ltd. must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept
up-to-date with the latest version of PM File Compare.).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.3. Pass Along ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You are encouraged to pass a copy of PM File Compare along to your friends for
evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they
can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of
the PM File Compare system.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Ombudsman Statement ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This program is produced by American Coders, LTD, a member of the Association
of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related
problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able
to help.  The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an
ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427
USA, FAX [phone] or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP
Ombudsman 70007,3536.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. What Else American Coders Can Do For You ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Programming PM applications is our speciality.

We also do mainframe programming. With an emphasis on programming CICS
applications that communicate to DOS and OS2 applications via APPC.