Even if you ’ve install Xcode , you may not use it much unless you make package for a living . But it ’s worth exploring the Developer folder , as it have got some very useful tools . Consider FileMerge , which you ’ll receive in /Developer - > Applications - > Utilities . This program is typically used to compare two textbook file — drag file to the Left and veracious drop zones in the Compare Files windowpane , and FileMerge will put up a comparison Sir Frederick Handley Page that shows the differences between the two file . This feature article is very handy if you do a lot of study with HTML , PHP , or other pure text edition files , and often have multiple variant of a basically - identical file on your disc .
But what not many people know is that you may also use FileMerge to liken two folders . For example , say you have two folders of picture , and you ’d like them to be very . You could enthrone in a synchronicity utility such as Econ Technologies ’ $ 30ChronoSync , but that might be overkill for your needs . Instead , give FileMerge a stab . Launch it , then drag one pamphlet into each cliff zone in the Compare Files windowpane :
Once you ’ve added the booklet , just click Compare . FileMerge open up a newfangled windowpane with a list of gray and black file name . A grey-headed filename designate that the file is common to both pamphlet . A black computer filename indicates that the file is unique to one folder . Select a file to see a status message at the bottom of the windowpane . If this says “ added to rightfield , ” that intend the file is only in the brochure you placed in the rightmost well . If the subject matter say “ add together to go forth , ” the opponent is true . To simplify this view , utilize the Exclude checkboxes . pick out the superposable option , for example , if you do n’t want to see files that be in both leaflet .
If you ’d like to seem at any of the files , get across the View button to display a drop - down menu of option . select Comparison ( for text edition files only ) to afford the traditional FileMerge comparison windowpane , or use the Left File and Right File options to see the actual textual matter or image in the specified folder . The Ancestor and Merge views only apply to citizenry using FileMerge to arrest codification . Read more about these option in FileMerge ’s Help file away .
If all you wanted to do was to visually compare the two folders ’ contents , you ’re done . But you may also expend FileMerge to really merge the two leaflet together into one Modern one . To do this , select all the files in the leftmost column ( snap on one and then hit Command - A to select all ) . Then choose Combine Files from the Merge pop - up carte ( or crusade Command-1 ) . FileMerge will ask you for a new directory name , and then proceed to immix the two directory into a unexampled one . Any file that were n’t common to both folder will be added to the unexampled brochure , along with all of the identical single file .
