COMPHEX: compare files by hex value

Description

Compares two files at the binary level and produces listings or screen summaries of their differences.

Categories

Compare & Search
Program Maintenance

Related files

COMPHEX: Object file for program.

User Instructions

Enter the two files to be compared at the INPUTS screen and press (RETURN) or the PF key for the desired option. Options include: run and display summary; run and print details and summary; run and print summary only.

The detailed report shows the byte positions and present hex value of unlike elements in the two files. The summary report shows all files processed during the run and the number of records and characters that differ between each set compared.

Programmer Instructions

While COMPHEX can be run under program control, a print option (rather than display) should be selected to present the results.

The INPUTS screen accepts file locations and the option desired. Regardless of the print or display options selected at the INPUTS screen, the SUMMARY screen shows the results of the search.

INPUTS      Press (RETURN) to compare and display details and
            summary, PF(01) to compare and display summary
            only, PF(13) to compare and print details and
            summary, PF(15) to compare and print summary
            only, or PF(16) to exit.

  FILE1     (blank)     Location of first file to be
  LIBRARY1  (blank)     examined.
  VOLUME1   (blank)

  FILE2     (blank)     Location of second file to be
  LIBRARY2  (blank)     examined.
  VOLUME2   (blank)

SUMMARY     Press PF(01) to run again or PF(16) to exit the
            program.

Example of use

Compare files that are difficult or impossible to compare visually, such as object files. Hex-level comparison ensures that any differences in the files will be noted.

Comments

Primarily used to determine whether two object files are identical. For other object file comparison utilities, see COMPANY and PARANOIA.