13 replies to this topic

[hatfarm]

Zombie requested that I create a new Compare.DAT program that might be a bit more helpful. So, I decided I'd post it here.

Attached Files

•  Compare.DAT_2.0.zip   10.67K   90 downloads

[Zombie]

Thanks a bunch hatfarm, I'll take a look at the new version tomorrow and report back!

- Zombie

[hatfarm]

I've just uploaded a new version to StrategyCore and it just has to be approved and then it will be available for download. There are SEVERAL improvements over the one here, I just couldn't compress it to be able to fit here as an attachment. A few of the improvements are:

1.It uses multithreading to do all of the comparing in the background, so you're not stuck having to wait for everything to load to start seeing the results.

2.I've included the option of seeing the offset number in Numerical or Hexadecimal

3. I've also included the option of seeing the value in Numerical or Hexadecimal.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Now I have to get to bed, I probably won't update this again as it's already taken two of my homework nights. Hope this is helpful to all you modders and such.

[Zombie]

I approved the upload and the new version can be found right next to your old one here.

The only thing I'd like to see is a "stop" button in case the two files are taking forever to compare. I ran across that a couple times while trying to compare the v1.0 and v1.2 patched version of the UFO GEOSCAPE executable as a dry run. Two 414kb files are definitely at the outer limit of the program, especially when the file sizes don't match and/or there are lots of differences.

Otherwise, it's great. I was going to mention to you to remove the OFFSET:, File 1: and File 2: pieces of text from each line and just have it at the top as a header and then make everything comma delimited, but it's not necessary. A couple searches and replaces converts the the text file into a comma delimited format... ready to import into Excel for some number crunching. I can live with that. Thanks again, hatfarm! Compare.DAT is awesome!

- Zombie

Edited by Zombie, 08 October 2008 - 11:42 PM.
Spelling.

[hatfarm]

Alrighty, here's the latest version with a stop feature. It took about 2 seconds, so I did it.

Attached Files

•  Compare.DAT_2.0.zip   12.82K   78 downloads

[hatfarm]

New version, just implemented saving with .csv for Zombie. Hope you like it.

Attached Files

•  Compare.DAT_2.0.zip   13.02K   80 downloads

[Zombie]

I love it. Comma Separated Values are a real time-saver when importing to Excel.

The only small issue I noticed is that the third column comes up as "File" not "File 2". Not a big problem as I can just rename it in Excel, but something to consider if you have the time. Thanks again, hatfarm!

- Zombie

[hatfarm]

I love it. Comma Separated Values are a real time-saver when importing to Excel.

The only small issue I noticed is that the third column comes up as "File" not "File 2". Not a big problem as I can just rename it in Excel, but something to consider if you have the time. Thanks again, hatfarm!

- Zombie

I can't believe I didn't catch that. I changed the formatting a couple of times so it probably got dropped off then. I'll update it.

Here it is:

Attached Files

•  Compare.DAT_2.0.zip   13.02K   83 downloads

[hatfarm]

Hey, would you find it useful to have an "Estimated time remaining" counter and a "% complete" counter? I've added them, but I haven't quite got the time remaining part nearly as accurate as I'd like. Anyone think it would be worth me investing a bit more time in?

[Zombie]

I don't think the counters would be all that useful. Most compares are either near instantaneous or take way too long to complete. The only issue I have right now is the program "forgets" the paths of your last compare so you have to re-navigate back to those directories to compare a different set of files. Could anything be done for this (such as a paths file maybe)?

If you are still looking to invest your time into something, how about an update to your game file editor, or your exe editor? Don't get me wrong, they are great programs, but could stand to be upgraded a bit. The craft editor especially.

- Zombie

Edited by Zombie, 19 October 2008 - 01:10 AM.

[hatfarm]

I don't think the counters would be all that useful. Most compares are either near instantaneous or take way too long to complete. The only issue I have right now is the program "forgets" the paths of your last compare so you have to re-navigate back to those directories to compare a different set of files. Could anything be done for this (such as a paths file maybe)?

If you are still looking to invest your time into something, how about an update to your game file editor, or your exe editor? Don't get me wrong, they are great programs, but could stand to be upgraded a bit. The craft editor especially.

- Zombie

I don't really have the time to invest in rewriting those. I don't have VB6 anymore and it won't port to VB.net at all (I've tried a few times). It shouldn't take too long to figure out how to remember paths for opening and saving for that matter.

If I wasn't going to school and working full time, I'd be more interested in doing it, but school is kicking my butt and it's only getting harder. This program is small potatoes in comparison so that's why I'm okay with working on this one.

[Zombie]

Hehe, okay. No worries there. It's odd how a program written in VB6 can't be ported over to VB.net though.

- Zombie

[hatfarm]

And, here it is with that option. I've included the percentage calculator since it was working okay and doesn't give any significant slow down. I tested it with a 33mb file and it helps you to at least have some sort of idea how fast it's going. I did notice that there is a somewhat significant boost in speed when you don't have the info show up in the list, so I have included the option of not having it show up in the list. Here's the new version

Attached Files

•  Compare.DAT_2.0.exe   34.5K   90 downloads

[hatfarm]

Hehe, okay. No worries there. It's odd how a program written in VB6 can't be ported over to VB.net though.

- Zombie

Yeah, it's because of some of the plugins I used. I guess they're not standard (though they came with VB6) and I guess it's either all or nothing with porting.