Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion

[SORTED] Intelligent comparision of files (Compare by filename only, etc.)

(1/3) > >>

tomos:
[edit] for more clarity, I could have titled this something like:
Compare files by filename - ignoring size & date & optionally ignoring file-extension
see reply #6 for solution [/edit]


I'm looking for software that does "Intelligent comparision of folder contents". It sounds like syncing, but what I'm comparing are folders with different versions of the same file, so I want to check have I created all the versions I think I have.

So lets say, in a dual pane setup: the left-side folder has 132 files, the right has 133.
These files have the same names (they are different versions of the same file) but are different sizes & dates. I want to find out which file is missing on the left.

One practical example - I am producing PDF's with, & without, fonts embedded. I want to make sure I havent missed any files - I can quickly see from the number count (as above) that one file is missing, but which one (!!)

The next step up would be to compare files, again with the same names, but with different extensions.
e.g. I want 133 files on the left in PDF format and 133 on the right in text format  - so the software that compares the files can be set to ignore the file extension, i.e. it's only comparing by the filename.

A quick search didnt bring up anything...

city_zen:
Apparently the highly regarded (but not free) BeyondCompare is able to do both things. This thread from their forum explains how:
http://www.scootersoftware.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7350

Posts 1 to 6 in that thread cover your first requirement (ignoring sizes and dates), while posts 7 and 8 cover the second, and trickier, requirement (ignoring file extensions)

Hope it helps

IainB:
@tomos:
I perform this kind of "intelligent" comparison of folder contents on a regular basis, and it works exceedingly well, using xplorer² - from zabkat.com
You can try out xplorer² with a free download.

IMHO, as well as being a superb file manager/explorer, it is a brilliant archive/folder/file comparison tool.
It can even make a passable cup of coffee.
The functions you would need are:
"Synch Wizard"
"Synchronse panes" (F9) - this keeps you in synch with 2 folders displayed in 2 panes/"windows", and through nested folders within those as well (if the naming of nested folders is identical).
Ctrl-M (performs a version comparison on file size/date or other selected criteria, on each pane).

AbteriX:
There are some free and portable sync tools which you can use to just see the differences.
Did you need some hints: FreeFileSync, DiffMerge, ...

or WinMerge
[SORTED] Intelligent comparision of files (Compare by filename only, etc.)




And if you use an file manager like Total Commander,

FreeCommander
[SORTED] Intelligent comparision of files (Compare by filename only, etc.)

or XYplorer or... you can use that power to aid you.




For example i can use XYplorer to see files being only into one pane like:
menu "Panes > Sync Select..." to select some files
followed by
menu "View > Tab > Filter by Selection" to see only the selected files out of hundreds

[SORTED] Intelligent comparision of files (Compare by filename only, etc.)



.

tomos:
Apparently the highly regarded (but not free) BeyondCompare is able to do both things. This thread from their forum explains how:
http://www.scootersoftware.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7350

Posts 1 to 6 in that thread cover your first requirement (ignoring sizes and dates), while posts 7 and 8 cover the second, and trickier, requirement (ignoring file extensions)
-city_zen (April 24, 2011, 11:20 PM)
--- End quote ---

that helps a lot city_zen - thanks!
I just have to decide if it's worth $50 to me....


[edit] working my way through the others [/edit]

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page