Hi,

I currently have two FM files which started off as identical copies. One is live and in production, the other copy was given to an outside developer to make some improvements. Over the course of 6 months, I had to make some changes to the production copy, and failed to take good notes. What tools do you recommend to compare the two files for differences? Im really just looking to move the new fields and scripts I made in the production copy over to the new version (developer improved). Any suggestions are appreciated!

8 hours ago, Fred_S said:

What tools do you recommend to compare the two files for differences?

 There are various tools that can compare DDRs such as:

• BaseElements https://baseelements.com/
• CrossCheck http://www.fm-crosscheck.com
• FMDiff http://fmdiff.com/
• FMperception https://www.fmperception.com/
• InspectorPro https://www.beezwax.net/products/inspectorpro-8

 I have no recommendation to make since I don't use any of them.

You can also use general tools for comparing XML documents (either DDR or the output of Save a Copy as XML). The result may be more difficult to read but it could be all you need for a one-time task such as you describe.

Oh, and for fields only you could simply compare the results of ExecuteSQL() querying the FileMaker_BaseTableFields table.

 

Edited July 8, 2025Jul 8 by comment

https://www.fmcomparison.com