Compare files with ExamDiff

ExamDiff is a freeware Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista tool for visual file comparison. It is quick and very simple to use, and has a number of convenient features that many users have been asking for a long time from a file comparison tool.

ExamDiff is a part of a suite of products that includes FtpVC, an FTP-based Version Control System that allows joint software development remotely over the Internet.

 The current released version is 1.8 (Build 1.8.0.4, Saturday, December 12, 2009). Version 1.8 introduces an Autopick feature to remember matching file pairs, Windows Vista support, and other additions.

• There is no need to specify both filenames: just enter a directory name for one of the files to be compared. ExamDiff will try to use an entered filename with a specified directory name.
• Remembers a user-specified number of last compared first and second files. This allows quick selection of the two files the user wishes to compare.
• Autopick feature in Compare dialog that remembers matching file pairs.
• Automatically detects file changes and prompts the user to re-compare files.
• One push re-compare function which attempts to leave the viewer's focus in the same place as before the re-compare.
• Drag and drop support for dropping one or two files into the program's window (e.g. from Windows Explorer).
• Easy editing of the first and second files. ExamDiff will spawn any editor (configurable by the user) with the first or second file, and line number option (available for editors that support this, through ExamDiff variables: $FILE (first or second file name), $CURFIFF (number of line at which the current difference starts), and $CARET (number of line where the caret is located).
• Saves the file differences in a standard UNIX DIFF file.
• Easy navigation through the differences via "Previous Difference"/ "Current difference"/ "Next Difference" buttons and hot keys or via a drop-down list box of all the differences
• Allows the copying of text from the comparison panes via drag and drop, a hot key, or a right button pop up.
• Simple "Search" command to search for strings in the comparison panes. It also remembers a user specified number of most recent searches.
• Customizable text and background colors, font, tab size, and "Show Differences Only" option as well as options to "Ignore white spaces in lines", "Ignore changes in amount of white spaces in lines", "Ignore case",  "Treat files as text files", "Ignore leading white space in lines" and "Ignore trailing white space in lines" for comparison.
• Fully customizable file extension filter. For example, the user can choose only .c and .cpp files or any other files  he/she chooses to be displayed.
• Tooltips which include file properties (when the mouse cursor is placed over the pane title bars), difference number (when the cursor is over the yellow triangle marking the current difference), and etc.
• Adjustable pane splitter with smooth synchronized scrolling. Allows easy toggling between horizontal and vertical splitter orientation as well as splitter centering and panes hiding.
• Command line options include:

  Usage: ExamDiff [Filename1] [Filename2] [Options]       Filename1, Filename2 are names of files to be compared       Options are any of:                /i ignore case         /w ignore all white space in lines         /b ignore changes in amount of white space in lines         /l ignore leading white space in lines         /e ignore trailing white space in lines         /t treat both files as text files         /d show differences only         /n don't show initial "Compare Files" dialog         /aN scroll trough all differences with N second delay and exit after the last difference         /?,/h print this screen      NOTE: if options /i, /w, /b, /l, /e, /t, or /d are not set, the last used options remain in effect.

• Version: 1.8
• Supported OS versions: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista
• Download size (EXE with installation): 524 KB (537,048 bytes)
• Download size (ZIP with installation): 505 KB (517,431 bytes)
• Download size (without installation): 277 KB (283,733 bytes)
• Executable file version: 1.8.0.4
• Executable file size: 568 KB (582,384 bytes)
• Executable file time: December 11, 2009, 9:25:54 PM (GMT -8)
• Price: Free

Download ExamDiff 1.8 from:

• PrestoSoft (EXE)
• PrestoSoft (ZIP)
• PrestoSoft (ZIP, without installation)
• CNet (EXE)
• French translation (EXE, courtesy of DenB)

Download ExamDiff 1.7 from:

• PrestoSoft (EXE)
• PrestoSoft (ZIP)
• PrestoSoft (ZIP, without installation)

Before submitting a bug report or a feature request, please consult the PrestoSoft Forums.

If your question is not answered, submit bug reports, new feature requests, and comments using the PrestoSoft contact form.

If you find ExamDiff useful, feel free to vote for it at CNet's Download.com.