Comparing text files

Users can easily compare two text files (PDS, sequential, VSAM, IAM, or a combination). VSAM and IAM files being compared must have the same allocation method.

Additionally, when comparing COBOL, REXX, JCL, ASM, or PL/I source files, users can choose to ignore the sequence number area and/or the COBOL identification area in either of the following ways:

• By setting a preference that controls the initial state when the editor is opened
• With the compare editor open, by toggling on or off whether to ignore these areas only as they relate to two files actively being compared

To compare text files

1. Optionally, to set a preference to control the initial state for ignoring columns when the editor is opened, from the Window menu, select Preferences. The Preferences dialog box appears. Select Compuware>Compare. Select one or more of the following check boxes, then click Apply and Close. These preferences will be applied to all text file compares.
   • Ignore sequence numbers area (column range varies by language) check box
   • Ignore COBOL identification area (columns 73-80) check box
2. Do either of the following:
   • To compare text files in the Host Explorer view, select two text files (using the CTRL key).
   • To compare text files in an online project, in the Project Explorer view, select two text files (using the CTRL key).
3. Right-click and select Compare With>Each Other. Both files open in browse mode in the default editor. Differences between the files are highlighted.
4. Visually compare the files.
5. Optionally, to ignore the sequence numbers areas and/or the COBOL identification area for only the two open files, do the following:
   • To ignore the sequence area for COBOL language files, click  or right-click within the editor and select Ignore Sequence Number Area. Repeat the action to toggle the setting off, if desired.
   • To ignore the sequence area for non-COBOL language files, click  or right-click within the editor and select Ignore Sequence Number Area. Repeat the action to toggle the setting off, if desired.
   • To ignore the COBOL identification area, click  or right-click within the editor and select Ignore Identification Area. Repeat the action to toggle the setting off, if desired.
6. Optionally, to make changes, open the file in a separate editor, edit the file, and save. The changes are reflected in the file open in the compare.