[Dubious]

Re: select all the components from one file. My turn to ask "why"? We already have that file.

Or did you mean an option to save all components in common along with the selected components into one new "combined" file? That would be usefull.

The diff file is (in my mind anyway) for modders to distribute, which when combined with another (yet to be developed) tool for merging a diff file would eventually allow merging mods. Of course, it might prove to be that this tool could also serve as the "merge" tool. As I think about it, this might be where your two comparision views of a short diff file and a full components file would shine. One comparison showing the components in common but with different parameters, the other the components only present in one file. (Not to belabor the point, but otherwise I don't see how a comparison between file 1 and 2 is somehow different than a comparison between 2 and 1. Same files, same differences. Now an alteration in HOW those differences are displayed, that makes sense. I just haven't seen it so far looking at the two comparison views of 3 different files.)

The "combined" file would be of immediate benefit to both modders and players in allowing them to incorporate patch changes into modded files.

Re: An earlier point about do we need "value specific" comparing. Sorry I overlooked this. Yes we do. If there is a difference in mineral cost or ability or reload rate or whatever, we need to know that to have a complete picture of the differences. Every parameter makes up the "component".

New option suggestion: Can you handle "editing" in some manner? I'm thinking one file (it could always be file 2 for instance, if you don't want to get into designating which file) gets the changes. Select the component and parameter in the "edit" file and then allow us to enter a new value. That way we can compare and update even if we individually don't want or can't yet use the diff file.

I saw that you are doing this in Java (I have no experience with it unfortunately) and the component is actually one long string when displayed in the text area. This probably means you can't edit directly in the display text area. But how about indirectly editing? Some method of indicating which parameter (line number perhaps?) and an input field for the new value, for instance? Then you can parse the string and substitute and redraw.


------------------
"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

[This message has been edited by Dubious (edited 20 June 2001).]