Re: [Winmerge-user] diff algorithm?

[Kimmo V. <ki...@ko...>]

Hi,

WinMerge uses a modified GNU/diffutils as diff-engine. I cannot say 
much about algorithm itself, but going to www.gnu.org documentation 
and using google you find more information.

Diffutils documentation:
http://www.gnu.org/manual/diffutils-2.8.1/diff.html

WinMerge does not use that patch-file diffutils normally produces but 
a list diffutils's internal "diffranges" containing linenumbers of 
changed lines. Based on those linenumbers WinMerge marks changes 
between files on screen.

Using diffutils is reason WinMerge cannot compare binary files or 
show exact differences on lines. Latter may sound simple comparing 
char by char but that wouldn't handle removed/added words etc 
properly.


Regards,
Kimmo