Never Trust A Running System!
How FMDiff works, technically speaking
FMDiff for Windows and Macintosh is a standalone C++ application. FMDiff is able to compare FileMaker® Pro files or files saved as Clone without the need of any further software.
FMDiff reads two files simultaneously and follows the file's internal structure. Whenever it discovers any deviation this will be reported. It also reports any structural errors with an appropriate error message.
This adds tremendously to security in two distinct ways:
- The structure is checked whether it is well-formed
- Orphaned or missing blocks (data or definitions) are reported
- The structure and definitions are compared with a known good copy or Clone
FMDiff can easily be self-tested and verified by anybody by applying changes to a file and compare those changes to the FMDiff report. It does not test or compare any data entered though, except the number of record changes in the tables are shown.
FMDiff uses the file name and the internal element IDs to track identity. When comparing complete folders, files must maintain their names to be recognized. When comparing single files, any files, tables, fields, or other elements may have been renamed. Changes of names will be reported. Elements that change temporarily, like Last find request, Sort order, list sequences of Tables, Fields, Value lists, Scripts, etc., or are related to data entered, are skipped.
How to use FMDiff ^
Open FMDiff and drag the files or folders to compare onto the Previous Version and Current Version slots. Alternatively files can be selected via the Choose button, even over File Sharing.
The Report Options are set automatically to the location of the current version. The report name and location is the same as the name of the current version but has an extension either .html or .xml according to the selected file options. The report path and filename may be changed via the Choose... button as well. Existing reports with the same name are overwritten without warning.
When both files or folders are selected, click Compare. Typically within a few seconds your browser will open and show the report. Files of several hundred Megabytes will take a few minutes. A progress bar and and the estimated remaining time is displayed together with a Cancel button.
Download FMDiff for your platform and give it a try. (The unlicensed FMDiff Community Edition allows just for files to be compared, and only 10 items per section are listed - enough to see how FMDiff works.)
Using the command line ^
Files and folders are supported if FMDiff is licensed.
Macintosh:
/Applications/FMDiff.app/Contents/MacOS/FMDiff -x prevfile currfile /Applications/FMDiff.app/Contents/MacOS/FMDiff -x prevfile currfile destfile or /Applications/FMDiff.app/Contents/MacOS/FMDiff -x prevfolder/ currfolder/ /Applications/FMDiff.app/Contents/MacOS/FMDiff -x prevfolder/ currfolder/ destfolder/
Windows:
FMDiff.exe -x prevfile currfile FMDiff.exe -x prevfile currfile destfile or FMDiff.exe -x prevfolder/ currfolder/ FMDiff.exe -x prevfolder/ currfolder/ destfolder/
The -x switch is for xml output. Without it the format is HTML.
If the third argument is omitted, the result goes to a folder "fmdiff" next to currfile.
Please note the trailing slash if you define folder paths.
Any information about FMDiff is subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2005 - 2010 Huslik Verlag GmbH. All Rights Reserved. FMDiff and FMChecker are trademarks of Huslik Verlag GmbH, Augsburg, Germany. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA. Other trademarks mentioned are property of their respective owners. This web site has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by FileMaker, Inc.