Copyright: "MIRO Software 1995
Citation: MIRO Software 1995


Contents
WinFC Table of Contents

1. WinFC Introduction and Operating Instructions

2. Main Window

3. Switch Options Dialog

4. Registration Information


WinFC Introduction

WinFC is a utility that allows the owner to compare the contents of two or more files. The comparison is done line by line and the output shows how and where the files differ.

WinFC provides an easy to use interface giving the owner direct access to the DOS FC command while remaining in the Windows environment.  By using WinFC, opening a DOS prompt window or exiting Windows is no longer necessary.  The user can generate a record of file differences for as many files as they want with a few simple mouse clicks or key board strokes.

To use WinFC, DOS 6.0 or higher is required.  WinFC makes direct use of the DOS FC command (the FC command is only available in DOS 6.0 or higher.)

Operating Instructions:

When WinFC is activated, the Main Window will appear.  The owner can then use drag-and-drop techniques to select the input files or the user can type the file names manually at the File 1 and File 2 input boxes located in the Main Window.  Once the files have been selected, simply choose the Compare command in the Main Window and the results will automatically be displayed.  After viewing the output, you can save the result to a file of your choice.(Note: The out put file is called wfcdoc.txt and is located in the directory where winfc.exe is located, if the you get a warning or error stating that wfcdoc.txt is to large for notepad you can open wfcdoc.txt in a alternate editor such as write.exe by using the Run command in the File Manager, ie: Run [WinFCs directory] \wfcdoc.txt.)

To learn how to use all of WinFC's features browse through help topics provided in the Table of Contents.  If you are familiar with the use and syntax of DOS FC switches, you will note they have been included in parenthesiss next to the WinFC equivalents in the Switch Options Dialog Box.  Additional help with the use of DOS FC command switches is found in DOS help files provided with your DOS system.

See also:

Main Window

Switch Options

Registration Info


WinFC Main Window

This is WinFCs Main Window.  Move the mouse to area of the window where you want Help, and click the right mouse button.

See also:

Introduction

Switch Options

Registration Info


WinFC Switch Options Dialog

This is WinFCs Switch Options Dialog.  The Switch Options Dialog allows the user to set the ways WinFC runs the file comparison.  Move the mouse to area of the WinFC window where you need Help, and click the right mouse button.

See also:

Introduction

Main Window

Registration Info


WinFC Registration

WinFC is not intended to be freeware.  WinFC was written to make it easier for the owner to access the DOS FC command while in Windows 3.x.

A registered version of WinFC provide you with the ability to access WinFC from Windows File Manager menu bar (the registered version allows installation of a new menu item in the File Manager program menu bar).  The registered version automatically detects the file extensions of file inputs and sets the appropriate mode and switch options.  Registered versions also include one free update to WinFC when they become available and free technical assistance to the owner.

In addition the one time registration fee will cover the cost for any and all work stations at the address provided at the time of registration.

If you like WinFC please register by sending $15.00(U.S.) along with your name, street address and E-mail address to:

MIRO Software

6701 W. 106th St., Apt. 322

Bloomington, MN 55438

USA

See also:

Introduction

Main Window

Switch Options


Compare Command

That is the Compare Command.  Selecting Compare runs a file comparison on the files named in the File Input boxes.  If the Always Prompt switch is active the Switch Options Dialog Box will appear before the file comparison is made.


Options Command

That is the Options Command.  Selecting it displays the View/Save, Switch Options and the Install FM Extension menu items.  The View/Save menu item displays the output from the last file comparison.  The Switch Options menu item brings up the Switch Options Dialog Box.  The Install FM Extension menu item installs the File Manager Extension that is included in the Registered Version of WinFC.  When the File Manager Extension has been installed this menu item changes to read Uninstall FM Extension, selecting it will remove the extension [addons] information from your winfile.ini file.


Quit Command

Selecting the Quit Command exits WinFC.


Help

Selecting the Help Command brings up WinFC Help, the document that you are reading now.


File A and File B Input Boxes

That is a File Input Box.  The file named in the File A box will be compared to the file named in the File B box.  You can usedrag-and-drop techniques or manually type file names you want to compare (full path names are required).  Wild card parameters are allowed and are quite useful when you want to compare a number of files.


Text Mode ( DOS equivalent [/L] )

Text Mode is the default mode for all files not having extensions EXE, COM,  OBJ, LIB, BIN, DLL, WAV or SYS.  With this switch active WinFC expects the files to be ASCII text files.  The switches listed in the Switch Options Dialog Box are designed for with text mode operation.  If you use this mode for files that are not ASCII files the results may be unpredictable.


Binary Mode ( DOS equivalent [/B] )

Comparing files in Binary Mode means all file data is compared byte to byte.  This is the default mode in a registered version of WinFC for files having extensions EXE, COM,  OBJ, LIB, BIN, DLL, WAV or SYS.  A binary comparison can be forced on files having extensions other than those listed above by setting this mode switch.  The switches listed in the Switch Options Dialog Box may have undefined results when a binary mode comparison is made therefore, it recommended that the Default settings are used for binary mode comparisons.


Line Numbers ( DOS equivalent [/n] )

With this switch activated, the line numbers of the mismatched file lines will appear in the output file.  The default action is not to include line numbers.


Ignore Case ( DOS equivalent [/c] )

With this switch activated, alphabetic case will be ignored.  The default setting for this switch is off.


Ignore Spaces ( DOS equivalent [/w] )

With this switch activated, all spacing information ( tabs and spaces between words ) is ignored.  The default setting for this switch is off.


Brief Output ( DOS equivalent [/a] )

With this switch activated, the output file displays only the first and last lines of mismatched data. By default all of the mismatched lines will appear in the output.


Ignore Tabs ( DOS equivalent [/t] )

With this option activated, tabs are not expanded.  The default action is to expand tabs.


Always Prompt

With this switch activated, the Options Dialog Box will always appear when the Compare command is selected. The default setting for switch is on.


Resynch ( DOS equivalent [/#] )

The Resynch value sets the number of lines of data that must match for resynchronization.  Once the specified number of matching lines are encountered the files are resynchronized and the files are again scanned for mismatched data.  The default value for this option is 2.


Buffer Size ( DOS equivalent [/LB#] )

The Buffer Size sets size of the resynchronization buffer used for processing data.  If  you are having trouble resynchronizing after a mismatch, increase the size of the buffer.  The default value is 100.


OK Button

Choosing the OK Button causes any changes made in the Switch Options to be saved, and closes the Switch Options Dialog Box.

If the Switch Options Dialog was displayed as the result of selecting the Compare command, choosing the OK Button closes the dialog box and executes the file comparison.


Cancel Button

Choosing the Cancel Button cause any changes made in the Switch Options Dialog Box to be ignored and closes the dialog box while resetting the option switches to their previous values.

If the Switch Options Dialog was displayed as the result of selecting the Compare command, choosing the Cancel Button closes the dialog box and the file comparison is aborted.


Default Button

Choosing the Default Button sets the default values for the selected Mode option to be set.


Help Button

Choosing the Help Button displays help on Switch Options.


Always Prompt

The Always Prompt switch is located in the Switch Options Dialog Box.  With this switch active, the Switch Options Dialog Box will always appear when the Compare command is selected.

Return to Compare Command Window.


Default Button

Choosing the Default Button sets the default values for the selected Mode option to be set.

Retrun to Binary Mode Window