DELTA, The Comparison Tool
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DELTA is a file and directory comparison tool which was created by OPENetwork in 1990. It comes from using the output of the unix command "diff" to put the two files or directories in scrollable windows and from adding artificial intelligence so that the alignment of similar lines gives the display a very natural feel. Since 1990, DELTA has been the number one comparison tool for DOS programmers and is probably the only serious one. In addition, DELTA's customer satisfaction level is nothing short of remarkable: go look at the log of our tech support.

DELTA retails for 100 US dollars, and discounts are available for resellers or for site licenses. For DELTA customers, the upgrade to the current version costs $40 (good for one year).

DELTA is fabulous, but don't take our word for it, Download a demo and see for yourself.
 (version 2.03, created Aug. 28, 1998: 316,688 bytes). The demo is limited in time to 30 days and in filesize to 500K rather than several gigabytes. By calling us, you can get a registration number and turn the demo into a full working version.

News:

DELTA Version 2.03 for DOS is latest version


Very fast, it can ...
  • compare files of several megabytes each (the 10,000 lines limitation is gone!)
  • compare directories recursively
  • copy or delete lines on the fly (in the file comparisons)
  • call your favorite editor from the file comparison
  • compare binary files
  • copy, browse and delete files on the fly (in the directory comparison)
  • have its artificial engine adjusted for special cases
  • automatically handle Windows95 long filenames, etc.

DELTA Version 2.5 for a DOS box in Win95/98 will soon be in Beta.

This will be the last DOS version. All known bugs have been removed and a system of drop down menus has been added to make a transition with DELTA for Windows. If you are a serious developer and interested in beta testing, send an e-mail to Jean-Claude Chetrit

DELTA for Windows is being written, and may be in Beta in late 2000 or early 2001.

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How Delta compares files:

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F1 Help should be self-explanatory.
F4 One above the other (or side by side) is a toggle on whether the screen is split in 2 horizontally or vertically.
F5 Edit invokes your favorite editor and starts an edit session of the file the cursor is on, at the line you are looking at (if your editor can handle it).
F6 Options brings up the options menu.
F7 Print brings up a print menu.
F9 DOS shells out to DOS until you type exit.
Esc Exit takes you back where you came from, either the entry screen or the middle of a directory comparison.
file comparison

MIDDLE You can move the cursor from side to side with the Tab key.

You will notice that line 3990 on the left has been lined up with line 791 on the right.

The cursor is sitting on the left at line 3987.

On the right of each panel, the little gray block between the up and down arrow gives you an idea of the percentage of the comparison that the screen displays.




BOTTOM
144704K is the amount of free RAM. If that number is close to 0, you may experience difficulties.
+ Next diff means that hitting either + key will take you down to the next different block in the comparison.
- Prev diff means hitting either - key will take you back to the previous difference.
d Delete means that pressing the d key will delete the line that the cursor is on for the file that the cursor is in.
c Copy means that the line that the cursor is on will be written to the other side.
Modes enable you to make empty space visible, to make tabs visible, to interpret ANSI sequences or backspaces, as well to set tabs at any number you wish.


How DELTA compares directories:

TOP
F1 Help should be self-explanatory.
F3 Browse lets you browse at a file or a directory (2 separate nifty tools).
F4 Common unequal (or full compare) is a toggle that displays only the unequal files or directories with identical names (or displays everything).
F5 Edit lets you use your favorite editor to edit the file the cursor is on. Your editor should complain if you attempt to edit a directory.
F6 Options brings up the options menu.
F7 Print brings up a print menu.
F9 DOS shells out to DOS until you type exit.
Esc Exit takes you back where you came from, either the entry screen or the middle of a directory comparison.



directory comparison MIDDLE
You can move the cursor from side to side with the Tab key.
Absent refers to non-existent files or directories.
DIR refers to a directory while the display of filesize (in bytes or K) refers to a file.
In the middle vertical panel, to the right of the name is the critical comparison code:
If you are in Windows95 and the file or directory name is too long, the right and left arrow will become active and let you see the name.
The word name is highlighted meaning that entries are sorted by name. You can sort by name, extension, size or time by hitting Alt-N, Alt-E, Alt-S or Alt-T o r by clicking on these words with your mouse. Clicking Alt-S then Alt-E means that within an extension, the entries are sorted by size.

BOTTOM
145344K is the amount of free RAM. If that number is close to 0, you may experience difficulties.
Enter Compare means that hitting the Enter key will start a comparison of the 2 entries of the line the cursor is on.
d Delete means that pressing the d key will delete the file that the cursor is on.
c Copy means that the file that the cursor is on will be copied to the other side.
Shown tells you what is being displayed and allows you to change it (you can also use the F4 key).

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Smart Backups:

If you take your computing seriously, if you want to be in charge of your computer, we suggest you read The Art of Keeping Computers in Sync.
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Reviews:

The best file comparison program I know of is called DELTA.
Steve Cummings, review in Computer Currents

One use of this utility and I wondered how I have been programming this long without it!
Randy Lynn, PCM Magazine

DELTA is a fantastic product!
Richard Block, Senior Software Engineer, Diatek, Inc.

A handy little program.
Ken Pugh, C User's Journal

DELTA is extremely flexible and powerful, but that power does not get in the way. So much of 'delta' "takes care of itself" that not much else is needed. This is the closest thing to a "copy and run" program that I have ever seen. ... DELTA is recommended!
Michael Durant, NEI-PC Users Group, review entitled: File Comparisons

A nifty file comparison program.
Jonathan Erickson, Editor in Chief, Dr. Dobbs Journal

I saw DELTA and I found it marvelous.
Professor Czapski, Professor, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Perhaps the most bang for the buck I've spent on software is a $100 product called DELTA...
Scott A. Bowron, Cherry Computing

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Tech Support for DELTA
Magic! OPENetwork Delta map The Berkeley Utilities Shareware & Freeware Our People The Game of Go Links
OPENetwork | Delta | Berkeley Utilities | Shareware & Freeware | Our People | Game of Go | Map of Site | Links


Last updated on January 8, 1999
Please send any comments to Jean-Claude Chetrit




These lines appear only for the benefit of search engines :-)
DELTA, The leading Vdiff engine for DOS programmers. DELTA, The Comparison Tool makes the difference in DOS.
DELTA, The leading Vdiff engine for DOS programmers. DELTA, The Comparison Tool makes the difference in DOS.
DELTA, The leading Vdiff engine for DOS programmers. DELTA, The Comparison Tool makes the difference in DOS.
DELTA, The leading Vdiff engine for DOS programmers. DELTA, The Comparison Tool makes the difference in DOS.