Problem with empty directories

[MSpagni]

When I empty a directory I see some strange effects.

Directory comparison.
Show empty directories in recursive comparison checked.
Sorting by path (combined).

Left panel:
directory x, files a, b, c...
Right panel:
directory x, empty directory

I delete all the files of the directory (in the left panel) and I get:
Left panel:
directory x, empty directory
Right panel:
directory x, empty directory
directory x, empty directory

A recompare makes the duplicate disappear.

Some other times I finish having:
Left panel:
(nothing about that directory)
Right panel:
directory x, empty directory, added
but the directory of the left panel, albeit empty, still exists.

Some other times the files were erased but then I got:

ExamDiff Pro
Encountered an improper argument.

and EDP keeps showing them.

Retrying, I get a system message saying something about "files not found", expected for the files were already deleted, and again "Encountered an improper argument".

There must be some details I'm missing for I can't tell in advance what will happen.

[psguru]

I tried with your options of February 3, and couldn't reproduce the problem. I always get the proper behavior (the left side gets an empty directory, the right side stays uncahnged). If your options changed, please send them to us. If some some steps are missing from your description, please let me know.

[MSpagni]

I'll keep investigating.
In the meantime, this is my latest set of options (for my still-in-main-use win2000 computer).

I just discovered that, even if txt files are not allowed here as attachments, zip files are.
This is one of those times in which I feel so stupid...

[psguru]

No, still couldn't reproduce the problem with your options.

[MSpagni]

The only thing I can add is that the effect is present in both my computers (win2000 and XP).

Maybe the easiest effect to reproduce is the following:

Before (Drive C: and D:)
........................................................................<empty directory> .\Documents and Settings\me\Recent
a.txt.lnk .\Documents and Settings\me\Recent
b.txt.lnk .\Documents and Settings\me\Recent

After
........................................................................<empty directory> .\Documents and Settings\me\Recent

but of course C:\Documents and Settings\me\Recent, albeit empty, still exists.

[psguru]

Thanks, While I couldn't reproduce your exact issue, one bug was discovered in the area of empty directories that may cause the behavior you are seeing. The fix is coming in the next build of 5.0.

[MSpagni]

Sorry but at least the effect explained above is still present. (EDP beta 14)
Still no way to reliably trigger it, unfortunately.

[psguru]

Well, if you find a way to reproduce it, please let me know.

[MSpagni]

This is new (or, at least, I didn't note it before).

Starting point
Both refers to the same directory in two different drives

Code: Select all

              <empty directory>
a.txt	

Copy of a.txt

Code: Select all

     			<empty directory>
a.txt			a.txt

Of course now the directory isn't empty anymore!

[psguru]

I'm not sure what you mean here. If your right directory contained only an empty folder before the copy, then everything is correct: you copied a.txt to the right directory, not to the empty subdirectory, so the view is fine.

[MSpagni]

I try to clarify.

left panel: c:\foo\a.txt
right panel: empty directory d:\foo

Copying c:\foo\a.txt as d:\foo\a.txt i get:

left panel: c:\foo\a.txt
right panel: empty directory d:\foo and d:\foo\a.txt

The left panel is ok, the right is not.

P.S. Please remember: it happens only sometimes, not always.

[psguru]

I see now. Yes, it's the same bug we are chasing, the one I could never reproduce.