Binary Compare

A binary comparison of two files may be performed by invoking Files->Compare->Binary Compare from the Files menu or using Shift+? to start the function. The files are compared using 32-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) values to determine whether or not they are an exact match.

The following logic, which is nearly identical to that used for the file comparison by an external program, is used when selecting the files for either a binary or external program comparison;

• If a file is selected in both the active and inactive File windows, the two cursored, selected files are compared.

• If a file is selected in active window but not the inactive window;

• If a file of same name exists in inactive window, the two like named files are compared.

• If a file of same name does not exist in the inactive window, the 32-bit CRC of the cursored, selected file is displayed in the Message window.

• To compare two files in the same window, there must not a selected file, or a file of the same name, in the inactive window. An exception to this rule is when the window contains only duplicate files as a result of using the 'Show duplicates' function. In this case, the first two selected files in the 'duplicates' window are compared.

A small message window, showing the files being compared, appears while the function is in progress.

The result is always displayed in the Message window at the bottom of the Data Panel. If the files are an exact comparison, the Message window background will be bright green and the message will be;

X:\path\file == Y:\path\file

otherwise the Message window background is yellow and the message will be;

X:\path\file UNLIKE Y:\path\file

To find the 32-bit CRC for any file, make sure there is no file selected or of the same name in the other window, select the desired file and then start a binary comparison. The CRC value will be displayed in the Message window.