NANY 2009 Release: Comparer

[fenixproductions]

NANY 2009 Entry Information

This is my first more serious coding work. I hope there will be small number of bugs

Application Name	Comparer
Version	1.0.10.0
Short Description	Comparer is files compare application which uses Total Commander's WDX plugins.
Supported OSes	All Windows
Web Page	http://www.dcmembers.com/fenix/
Download Link	http://www.dcmembers.com/fenix/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/myapps/comparer.zip
System Requirements	.Net 2.0 framework WDX plugins (for properties info) WLX plugins (for thumbnails)
Version History	1.0.10.0 - changed: updated SourceGrid control; 1.0.9.0 - fixed: "Scan for plugins" generated errors for new config, ThreadAbortException handled; added: temporary skipping FileDesc.wdx; 1.0.8.0 - fixed starting with no INI (also "default" name added); fixed saving schemes when there was no "configs" directory; 1.0.7.0 (2009.04.01) - wdx_proxy.dll updated; 1.0.7.0 (2009.03.28) - few translations added (Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Slovak, Spanish); 1.0.7.0 - added configuration switch combobox; added translations handling; added French language file (thanks to Clo); 1.0.6.0 - changed plugins handling engine to external wdx_proxy.dll; fixed another bug with "show empty" and "shwo different"option; 1.0.5.0 - fixed few errors with "show empty" and "show different"; fixed colouring different items; changed files names always shown; added image header generation; added option for opening files with associated application; added date formatting description; 1.0.4.0 - fixed "show empty" did not worked correctly; added customizable output file names; added customizable CSV separators and text quotes; 1.0.3.2 - fixed panels refreshing problem (drag'n'drop did not make them enabled); 1.0.3.1 - fixed small extensions bug; plugins options panels are disabled if there are no plugins; 1.0.3.0 - "Show empty" option now works for thumbnails; files icons might be shown when there is no thumbnails; 1.0.2.0 - Export feature has been rewritten (additional image formats, external header/footer files usage); few bug fixes (some dates were shown incorrectly); 1.0.1.0 - replaced menu with toolstrip (for better stick mode indication); added wordwrap option; Settings dialog changes; 1.0.0.0 - added shortcuts handling; little layout changes (icons); export feature; added "Stick mode"; 0.0.9.0 - replaced tree control with list; fixed problem with Explorer thumbs (sometimes they were not shown); fixed lists bug (lists containing more than two element were ignored); 0.0.8.1 - fixed issue with plugins under 64bit systems; 0.0.8.0 - main window is refreshed after Options change; default plugins path is configurable now; added option for automatic scan for plugins (in default directory); few minor bug fixes (and code clean-up); 0.0.7.1 - fixed problem with folders and %L parameter; 0.0.7.0 - added alternative configs support; thumbnails height can be customized; plugins fields visibility can be customized; 0.0.6.4 - thumbnail plugins (WLX) show extensions suggestions; 0.0.6.3 - fixed nasty bug which was causing crashes with some plugins (more of them should be supported now); 0.0.6.2 - browsing for plugins now gives proper extensions suggestions; few problems with plugins drag'n'drop corrected; 0.0.6.1 - thumbnails are cleared on drag'n'drop; corrected adding WLX plugs and comparers (some details were taken from WDX tab); 0.0.6.0 - external comparing tools even more configurable 0.0.5.0 - added thumbnails handling 0.0.4.0 - first public release
Author	fenixproductions

Description
Many times when I was updating my software (or files) I needed an application for quick properties comparison. All of the existing files compare applications offer viewing files content but not some files types properties. So I wrote a tool where the main feature is Total Commander's content plugins usage. I can can easily "take two files" (or only one) and view their properties like: ID3 tags, resolutions or EXE headers. The only effort to take is to find nice plug in and add to application.

Features

• new - available in many languages (Chinese, Dutch, English, Espanol, Français, German, Norwegian, Polski, Română, Slovak);
• new - extended pack (with few plugins) is available on WWW page;
• additional image headers can be added to exported files;
• exported reports can be opened in associated applications;
• CSV export attributes (separators and text quoting) can be set;
• output files names (for Export) can be customized;
• files' details can be exported into CSV, HTML or Image files (BMP, JPG, PNG);
• external files (header.html, footer.html) can be imported into generated HTML;
• external CSS file can be used for better HTML look;
• info can be copied using Ctrl+C or Shift+C keys;
• generated info can be exported;
• thumbnails visible in simple list;
• automatic info refresh after Options change;
• configurable default plugins path with "Scan for plugins" feature;
• visible plugins fields can be specified;
• possibility to use different configuration files,
• possibility to specify external comparing applications on separate tab,
• thumbnails support for various file types (thanks to WLX plugins),
• view modes: either all details view or differences only,
• debug mode (view empty) - allows to see plugins' names for which information cannot be extracted;
• drag'n'drop support for adding new plugins - drop WDX file into proper area and you will get files extensions suggestion (if plugins supports it);

Planned Features

• external comparers configuration on standalone tab (separate them from plugins);
• more plugins handling;
• thumbnails;
• multiple files mode (more than two) with reports generator;

Screenshots





Usage
Installation
Just unpack archive anywhere but remember that it needs write rights to it's directory.

Using the Application
Files can be dragged into application's form.

Command line parameters are also implemented:

Code

comparer.exe %1

- file %1 will be loaded;

Code

comparer.exe %1 %2

- file %1 will be compared with %2;

Code

comparer.exe -L %1

- application will load %1 file with the list of files to compare (one or two lines only for now);

Code

comparer.exe -c %C %1

- application will load %1 and use %C configuration file;

Code

comparer.exe -c %C %1 %2

- same as above but works with two files;

Code

comparer.exe -c %C -L %1

- application will process %1 list using %C configuration file;
Uninstallation
Just delete it.

Known Issues
FileDesc.wdx seems to crash Comparer completely (I can't find the way to prevent that other than skipping this plugin). Please remember about it while adding WDX files manualy! Other plugins should work correctly now. If you find an error, please, report it.

All known working plugins list here.

WLX plugins are supported for thumbnails generation. Please check some of them (and report working ones) after downloading from:
http://www.totalcmd.net/directory/lister.html
http://en.totalcmd.pl/download/wlx

For more info please go to WWW page!

[mouser]

An extremely clever idea to use the wdx plugins to do this -- and I think this is pretty amazing. 

[fenixproductions]

Version 0.0.5.0 is alive with thumbnails support.

Preview images are generated in separate thread using WLX plugins. In the case of no plugin associated with extension, Windows Explorer thumb might be seen.

[fenixproductions]

Following mouser's wish.... ComparerCmd 0.0.1.0 has been written.

This is console version of application from above. It should be unpacked into Comparer's directory because it uses the same config file.

Usage:

Code

comparercmd.exe file

where "file" is your file's name.

What it does?
Prints in console window whole information about given file (using WDX plugins, of course).

Download

[fenixproductions]

Version 0.0.6.0 is out!

I have removed "General compare" option. It was replaced by separating external comparing tools from WDX plugins. Now it is possible to specify what application should handle given extensions later.

Additionally I've found (and fixed) few nasty bugs which were duplicating some entries in memory. ASAP I will make this fixes for console version too.

Two questions for members:

• Does anyone use it at all? (except mouser
• I've been thinking lately to add additional button (and one more tab) to handle listing files in archives using WCX plugins but it might be too much. What is Your opinion?

[fenixproductions]

ComparerCmd 0.0.2.0 has been released.

I've fixed few small bugs found in GUI version and trimmed down few classes from unwanted code (mainly WLX support and reading INI data)

Download

[iphigenie]

This looks awesome! Downloading it now

[fenixproductions]

Version 0.0.6.1 released.

Few fixes has been done (check first post for more info).

[fenixproductions]

New version (0.0.6.2) new bug fixes

Additionally, please take a look on WWW page.

[fenixproductions]

New version (0.0.6.3) released with serious one bug fix. More WDX plugins should work from now.

Edit
Oh! Command line version has been also fixed (0.0.2.1).

Edit 2
I made quick test and about 50 additional WDX plugins gave no errors during that!

[mouser]

ooh i can't wait to try the commandline version --
before i download, can i ask -- can the commandline version just display all known info about a single file? (ie without requiring an actual comparison between two files)?

[fenixproductions]

2mouser
Commandline version works with single files only.

Currently I am trying to focus on Comparer, so if there is something missing for commandline (like different output format), give me a hint. If everything will be OK then I might add comparison mode for it. As stated before: this was made for your request so feel free to point out anything.

PS. Please take a look here before asking

[mouser]

Nice; the only thing that would be a cool option would be a html output option which outputted the results in a more compact html table.

[fenixproductions]

Version 0.0.6.4 is out!

WLX plugins shows extensions suggestions (only if they support that). Being honest: it's been done two versions ago but I simply called wrong methods (similar names)

2mouser
I will try do do that more configurable as soon as I finish testing additional plugins (36).

[mouser]

great -- i'll make sure we have a plugin/alias available for FARR that can use it -- this will actually be the first use of the brand new ability for FARR to support custom right-click context menu extensions.

[mouser]

notice i say "i'll make sure we have a plugin".. that's code speak for i will try to convince ewemoa or czb to write the alias/plugin, and will fall back to doing it myself if i should fail in this

[fenixproductions]

Comparer 0.0.7.0 is out!

2mouser
Commandline version has been also updated (0.0.3.0) and now supports "-h" switch for generating HTML file with details.

More info on WWW.

[mouser]

wonderful.  html output looks great too. 

[fenixproductions]

Little improvement of commandline version (0.0.3.1):

If "header.html" or "footer.html" files exist in ComparerCmd directory, their content will be imported into "output.html" file.

Additionally user can put two variables inside those files:
- %f - will be replaced by file's name,
- %p - will be replaced by file's path.

[fenixproductions]

New versions are out!

Main change in both of them is x64 fix.

ComparerCmd (0.0.4.1) now supports also "-d" switch. It will allow the user to see an info about empty plugins. By default no empty plugins are shown.

[mouser]

Commandline version is working perfectly now -- i will post a farr plugin that uses comparercmd this weekend.
GREAT STUFF.

[Lutz_]

Hello, this looks very interesting!  I have to admit however that I do not understand how to use a WDX plugin at all.   
Would I need TotalCommander to run your Comparer?  Just wanted to note, that it might be helpful to add an introduction or an explanation link for non-geeks once the development settles down a bit.

[fenixproductions]

2Lutz_
Please take a look on WWW and you will find that:
1. TC is not required,
2. simple "step by step how to" if written down there (even with movie).

[fenixproductions]

0.0.9.0 is out (hard time before New Year)
I've decided to change used control completely. Additionaly I found out Explorer thumbnails bug and had to fix that.
I have also fixed lists bug (lists containing more than two element were ignored);

[fenixproductions]

1.0.0.0 is out and can be assumed as final for N.A.N.Y

All information can be exported to CSV, HTML or BMP files.

Some shortcuts keys were added:
Ctrl+C - copy selected row as plain text,
Shift+C - copy selected row as RTF,
Esc - close window (works for main form and settings).

Additionally there is a feature called "Sticky mode". By default: dropping a file into Comparer will show its details. Each drop - new info shown but previous attributes disappear. In "Sticky mode" columns content is replaced only, so (ex.) if you're viewing two files and drop new one into left column -> right file will stay and only first one will be replaced.