Comparison Methods
Contents
FolderMatch provides several methods for comparing files and folders. Each method has specific use cases and levels of detail:
•File Name Only
•Size Only
•Size and Date/Time (default)
•Contents
•Version
•Attributes
File Name Only
•Description: Compares files based solely on their names.
•Note: This method is not very reliable for determining if files are truly identical, as files with the same name may differ in content.
Size Only
•Description: Compares files with matching names based solely on their sizes.
•Note: This method is also not very reliable, as files with the same size may still differ in content.
Size and Date/Time
•Description: Compares files with matching names based on their sizes and last modified date/times. If either the size or date/time differs, the files are considered different.
•Usage: This method is sufficient for most comparison needs. It provides a reasonable level of detail for determining if files are likely to be different.
•Note: This is FolderMatch's default folder comparison method
Contents
•Description: Compares the byte-level contents of files with matching names .
•Usage: This method is the most thorough approach and should be used for a detailed comparison of file contents.
•Note: If the sizes of two files are different, FolderMatch does not compare their contents, as differing sizes indicate differing contents.
•Description: Compares the version numbers portion of the version stamp in files. Version stamps typically include information such as company name, application name, copyright, version number, and language edition.
•Common File Types: Controls (.ocx, .vbx), Programs (.exe), DLLs (.dll), Drivers (.drv), and Fonts (.fon).
•Note: This method is available when comparing files by their properties and is less useful for comparing all files in two folders due to the rarity of version stamps in many files.
•Description: Compares the attributes of two files. Common attributes include Read-Only, Archive, Hidden, and System. Newer Windows operating systems offer extended attributes.
•Usage: This method compares file attributes to determine differences.
•Note: This method is available when comparing files by their properties
•Reference: For a complete list of file attributes, see the File Attributes List topic.
Note on Comparison Methods:
The Version and Attributes methods are not listed in the Options window, Compare Folders options. They are available only when comparing files by their properties. Comparing all files in two folders by their versions would not be very useful, as very few files actually have version stamps