Basic Usage

This guide covers the fundamental operations of the Beyond Compare tool, including file uploads, text comparison, and basic result interpretation.

File Comparison

Uploading Files

1. Select First File: Click on the "File A" upload area
2. Choose File: Select your first file from the file picker
3. Select Second File: Click on the "File B" upload area
4. Choose File: Select your second file for comparison
5. Compare: Click the "Compare Files" button

Supported File Types

The tool supports all text-based file formats including:

• Source code files (.js, .ts, .py, .java, .cpp, .cs, etc.)
• Configuration files (.json, .xml, .yaml, .ini, .conf, etc.)
• Document files (.txt, .md, .rst, .log, etc.)
• Data files (.csv, .tsv, .sql, etc.)

File Size Limits

• Maximum file size: 10MB per file
• Recommended file size: Under 1MB for optimal performance
• Large files may take longer to process

Text Comparison

Direct Text Input

1. Enter First Text: Paste or type content in the "Text A" area
2. Enter Second Text: Paste or type content in the "Text B" area
3. Compare: Click the "Compare Texts" button

Text Input Tips

• Use the text areas for quick comparisons
• Ideal for code snippets and configuration blocks
• Supports multi-line text with proper formatting
• No file size restrictions for text input

Understanding Results

Summary Statistics

The comparison results show three key metrics:

• Added: Lines present in File B but not in File A
• Removed: Lines present in File A but not in File B
• Modified: Lines that exist in both files but with different content

Visual Indicators

The diff display uses color coding:

• Green: Added content (new lines)
• Red: Removed content (deleted lines)
• Blue: Modified content (changed lines)

Line-by-Line Analysis

Each difference shows:

• Line numbers for both files
• The actual content from each file
• The type of change (added, removed, modified)
• Side-by-side comparison for easy review

Basic Comparison Options

Ignore Whitespace

Enable this option to:

• Skip differences in spaces and tabs
• Focus on meaningful content changes
• Useful for code comparisons where formatting may vary

Ignore Case

Enable this option to:

• Perform case-insensitive comparison
• Useful for comparing configuration files
• Ignore differences in capitalization

Show Line Numbers

Enable this option to:

• Display line numbers in the diff output
• Easier navigation in large files
• Better reference for specific changes

Quick Start Example

Comparing Configuration Files

1. Upload two configuration files (e.g., config-old.json and config-new.json)
2. Enable "Ignore Whitespace" option
3. Click "Compare Files"
4. Review the summary statistics
5. Examine the detailed differences

Comparing Code Snippets

1. Paste the original code in "Text A"
2. Paste the modified code in "Text B"
3. Enable "Show Line Numbers"
4. Click "Compare Texts"
5. Review the changes line by line

Common Use Cases

Code Review

• Compare different versions of source code
• Identify specific changes between commits
• Review pull request modifications
• Debug configuration changes

Document Comparison

• Compare document revisions
• Track changes in configuration files
• Verify file updates
• Merge document versions

Quality Assurance

• Validate file integrity
• Ensure consistency across environments
• Review automated changes
• Audit configuration modifications

Tips for Better Results

1. Use Appropriate Options: Enable relevant comparison options based on your content type
2. Review Summary First: Check the statistics before examining detailed differences
3. Focus on Meaningful Changes: Use whitespace ignoring for code comparisons
4. Save Important Comparisons: Use the history feature for important comparisons

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Files Not Comparing: Ensure both files are uploaded and are text-based formats

Slow Performance: Large files may take time to process; consider breaking into smaller sections

Unexpected Differences: Check comparison options; whitespace and case sensitivity can affect results

Missing Content: Verify file encoding and format compatibility

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

1. Check file formats and sizes
2. Verify comparison options
3. Try with smaller test files
4. Review the browser console for error messages

The Beyond Compare tool is designed to be intuitive and powerful, providing accurate comparisons for all your file and text comparison needs.