Suggestion: explorer context menu directory vs file compare

BWB · Post by **BWB** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:13 am

In the 'open' dialog (compare new pair) I must define first whether I want to compare directories or files. When I chose files, I may add as second only a directory, and ED comfortably uses the correct file, i. e. the file with the same name as the first one, in the second directory (maybe this works the other way round as well, as long as at least one file name is given).

Now I am a great fan and user of the explorer contex menu. But when I select a file via 'select first item to compare', and then right click on a directory, ED offers to compare this directory to the directory I last chose when I selected a directory to compare with.

What I would really appreciate, is that ED would always use the last 'select first item to compare' action to determine whether to compare directories or files, and then offer to compare with the file of the same name in the selected directory, like it does in its open dialog.

Or even better - only if both selections are directories use directory comparison, and use file comparison in any other case, including automatic file name addition.

Too much of an effort? Bad idea? Missed an option?

Thx for taking the time to read this long text

Best regards,
Brendan

Post by **psguru** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:26 pm

I think it's not a bad idea. Here's what we can do (and try and add it to the 3.3 Beta): have a new option in Options | Global | General, "Allow comparing files to directories (by appending file names to directory names)". If it's checked (unchecked by default), and a file is selected, the Shell extension will display 3 menu items -- if there are both file and directory previously selected as first items, 2 menu items -- if there's only one of the above, and 1 menu item -- of none items were selected as first. The same goes for a selected directory.

If the option is unchecked, the Shell extension will work as is currently does.

BWB · Post by **BWB** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:39 am

Thanks, looking forward to test it!

Post by **psguru** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:43 pm

It's been added to the latest beta. Enjoy.

BWB · Post by **BWB** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:21 am

Works great & saves me time searching the files manually - thanks a lot!

BWB · Post by **BWB** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:35 am

Wow - even selecting a file AND a directory in one go works as expected (by adding the filename and comparing the files) - great job, thanks!