HTML DIFF feature suggestions for beta

[lpaparel]

I am evaluating the exam diff 4.5.1.5 beta version, and i love the html diff report. One great feature I would love to see is the ability to have the file's name by default with a timestamp, followed by the .html extension. Currently, the default filename is diff.htm . What I would like to see for example is; first filename to compare="file1.cls", the default html name = "file1.cls.20090223_103859.htm". Having this feature would save lots of time typing in the name of each file I compare.

Another great fix would be to reduce the size of the actual html diff file. One suggestion is to have an option to either self-contain the javascript functions, etc. in the html script (as it is presently doing), and the other is to create a separate file (in the same directory) that contains these functions, css, etc. This would reduce a huge amount of space.

[psguru]

I am evaluating the exam diff 4.5.1.5 beta version, and i love the html diff report. One great feature I would love to see is the ability to have the file's name by default with a timestamp, followed by the .html extension. Currently, the default filename is diff.htm . What I would like to see for example is; first filename to compare="file1.cls", the default html name = "file1.cls.20090223_103859.htm". Having this feature would save lots of time typing in the name of each file I compare

This is not a bad idea. But wouldn't you want to have both names in the diff report file name? Something like diff_file1.cls_file2.cls_Feb-24-2009 16-10.htm ?

Another great fix would be to reduce the size of the actual html diff file. One suggestion is to have an option to either self-contain the javascript functions, etc. in the html script (as it is presently doing), and the other is to create a separate file (in the same directory) that contains these functions, css, etc. This would reduce a huge amount of space.

The idea was to have just one HTML file that is self-contained. Besides, JS functions take just a small piece of a large HTML diff report.

[lpaparel]

In my case, I compare two files with the same name from two different directories, however, you suggestion to concatenate both filenames will cover all bases, and is an acceptable solution.

As for the js code within the difference report... it is small for a single file, however will increase. I compared a relatively small file, and the diff report was 4Mbytes. This will be huge if I plan to archive these difference reports. At the moment, I am zipping them.

[psguru]

HTML report files do get large but not because of JS -- this part remains the same and very small. It's just a lot of HTML data that has to be written.

[why_am_i_hiding]

If I could just throw in my 2 cents worth:
I also like the idea of being able (as a configurable option) to "automatically" generate the report file name using the source file names. (Although, admitedly, user lpaparel's problem of similar filenames does present a special issue.)
I have an automated process (QTP based) that does both in the style:
yy-mm-dd_HH-MM_file_1_name_vs_file_2_otherreportnameinfo.htm
By putting the date in this format and at the front of the name, this style also allows for sorting based on date/time without worrying about the file's actual system date
(my date/time combo is taken from the date and time that the comparison is run - but styles could be decided in a number of interesting ways.)
Take a look at any of the better "bulk file rename" programs.
There are many fine solutions/ideas to inserting dates and even other text into filenames.
Some result in very long names, but are a HUGE benefit for those of us working in the automated testing world.

[psguru]

This is already implemented in 4.5 Beta.