Comparing DBs with Windiff

[GaryB]

I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text files using
WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files but Windiff said
they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone else had such a problem
with WinDiff?

Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around that
work?
Thanks,
G

[David Gugick]

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text
files using WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files
but Windiff said they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone
else had such a problem with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around
that work?
Thanks,
G

Have you tried the command-line "fc.exe" that is bult into Windows. It
should be in the path, but on my XP system is located in the
WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder.

[Michael D. Long]

Not with Windiff, but I've observed the problem with RedGate SQL Compare
where database objects show as the same but manual examination reveals
significant differences.
--
Michael D. Long

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text files using
WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files but Windiff said
they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone else had such a problem
with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around that
work?
Thanks,
G

[Adam Machanic]

Would you be able to post some segments of text that aren't comparing
properly? I'm very surprised -- and disturbed -- to hear that Windiff isn't
reliable; it's quite an old product at this point, and I use it extensively
to compare source code. So I'd really like to know if it has deficiencies.

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text files using
WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files but Windiff said
they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone else had such a problem
with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around that
work?
Thanks,
G

[GaryB]

Sorry but it is a script of our entire database that is propritary. one
data base had many tables missing, views missing, some column differences,
and stored procedures missing. WinDiff just pops up a dialog saying
difference in blanks only. I'm using WinDiff 5.1. I'll try tht Beyond
Compare.
G

Post by Adam Machanic
Would you be able to post some segments of text that aren't comparing
properly? I'm very surprised -- and disturbed -- to hear that Windiff isn't
reliable; it's quite an old product at this point, and I use it extensively
to compare source code. So I'd really like to know if it has
deficiencies.

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text files

using

Post by GaryB
WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files but Windiff said
they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone else had such a

problem

Post by GaryB
with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around that
work?
Thanks,
G

[David Gugick]

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text
files using WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files
but Windiff said they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone
else had such a problem with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around
that work?
Thanks,
G

I think the problem is that WinDiff is not designed for use with binary
files. It's an ASCII comparison tool. I would use fc.exe instead.

See this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;159214

[Adam Machanic]

Post by David Gugick
I think the problem is that WinDiff is not designed for use with binary
files. It's an ASCII comparison tool. I would use fc.exe instead.

Last time I checked, SQL Scripts are just text files. But I guess the
OP could have had them Unicode encoded?

Anyway, if you want a better diff/merge program than WinDiff, I highly
recommend Beyond Compare... fc.exe is rather ancient and difficult to use in
this age of Graphical User Interfaces...

http://www.scootersoftware.com/moreinfo.html

[David Gugick]

Post by Adam Machanic

Post by David Gugick
I think the problem is that WinDiff is not designed for use with
binary files. It's an ASCII comparison tool. I would use fc.exe
instead.

Last time I checked, SQL Scripts are just text files. But I
guess the OP could have had them Unicode encoded?
Anyway, if you want a better diff/merge program than WinDiff, I
highly recommend Beyond Compare... fc.exe is rather ancient and
difficult to use in this age of Graphical User Interfaces...
http://www.scootersoftware.com/moreinfo.html

I misread the OP. I thought he was comparing data files.

On another note, I use Beyond Compare as well and think it's a great
tool although I do find myself using FC.EXE on occasion for quick
comparisons.

[GaryB]

.sql files are text script files.
G

Post by David Gugick

Post by GaryB
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared the text
files using WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files
but Windiff said they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone
else had such a problem with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison programs around
that work?
Thanks,
G

I think the problem is that WinDiff is not designed for use with binary
files. It's an ASCII comparison tool. I would use fc.exe instead.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;159214
--
David Gugick
Imceda Software
www.imceda.com

[Nick Evans]

For tools, I would check out Innovartis DB Ghost
http://www.innovartis.co.uk/

Regards,
Nick Evans

-----Original Message-----
I scripted two versions of a database and then compared

the text files using

WinDiff. There were major differences in the two files

but Windiff said

they were the same "except for blanks." Has anyone else

had such a problem

with WinDiff?
Are there any good (free or cheap) file comparison

programs around that

work?
Thanks,
G
.