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
- Select First File: Click on the "File A" upload area
- Choose File: Select your first file from the file picker
- Select Second File: Click on the "File B" upload area
- Choose File: Select your second file for comparison
- 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
- Enter First Text: Paste or type content in the "Text A" area
- Enter Second Text: Paste or type content in the "Text B" area
- 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
- Upload two configuration files (e.g.,
config-old.json
andconfig-new.json
) - Enable "Ignore Whitespace" option
- Click "Compare Files"
- Review the summary statistics
- Examine the detailed differences
Comparing Code Snippets
- Paste the original code in "Text A"
- Paste the modified code in "Text B"
- Enable "Show Line Numbers"
- Click "Compare Texts"
- 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
- Use Appropriate Options: Enable relevant comparison options based on your content type
- Review Summary First: Check the statistics before examining detailed differences
- Focus on Meaningful Changes: Use whitespace ignoring for code comparisons
- 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:
- Check file formats and sizes
- Verify comparison options
- Try with smaller test files
- 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.