#255 files differing not in main stream flagged as identical

WinMerge does not know that files may have multiple
streams on NTFS.

echo "nice same " > t1.txt
echo "other" >> t1.txt:hidden
echo "nice same" > t2.txt

Compare t1.txt and t2.txt, and WinMerge will say that
they are identical.

I suppose this is debatable, but I think it would be
nice if WinMerge at least said something in this case.

[Kimmo Varis]

Logged In: YES
user_id=631874

Can diff code made to detect these streams without extra
hacks? Or can this be solved with preprocessing files?

[Anonymous]

Logged In: YES
user_id=60964

Now that we're only calling the diff code with each
individual file, we could add code to check for and flag
files with extra streams. I'd like to at least have a flag
set in their properties, to be later optionally displayed in
the dirview ?

[Kimmo Varis]

Logged In: YES
user_id=631874

I think we have to change that dirview struct. Currently
there is that "BYTE code" which tells status. But thats
clearly not enough. We need flags for binary, folder, left
item missing etc. Then maybe different flags for read-only,
extra streams etc.

For example, instead of FILE_BINDIFF we should have
FILE_LEFT | FILE_RIGHT | FILE_BINARY | FILE_DIFF. Currently
we cannot sort by binary status or by left unique status.

Thats big and risky change... But worth of it?

[Anonymous]

Logged In: YES
user_id=60964

I am in favor of expanding the dirview as you say.
Maybe this is the wrong place for such a discussion however :)

[Anonymous]

Logged In: YES
user_id=60964

Ok, now that we have attribute columns, how about attribute
codes for some of these things, eg,

RO = readonly
STR = has streams
SPA = sparse file

They'd go together in one column a lot better if they were
single letter, but, it isn't obvious what are good letters
for them in English :(

Ok, I'm going to go create threads for these two somewhat
independent things on the forum (and mark this bug postponed
as well).

[Kimmo Varis]

Logged In: YES
user_id=631874

Decreasing priority. This is mostly "nice to have" fix, not
an issue for most users. If you disagree please add comment.

[Anonymous]

Logged In: YES
user_id=60964

I concur, and thanks for doing triage!