Below are typical applications of DateWise FileCompare in software quality assurance ("SQA"), testing and software configuration management ("CM"). Each of these are difficult or impossible for other general file comparison tools.
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Compare compiled binary files A typical SQA/CM use is to determine if two compiled files are are identical except for the embedded timestamps inserted by the compiler and linker. Using this utility, two compiled files are identical if they match everywhere outside the timestamps. All of this is done automatically without specifying the format or position of any specific timestamp within the file. |
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Compare report files A typical testing use is to compare report files with dates and/or times in the heading. This utility can determine two reports are identical except for the dates in the heading without identifying the location or format of the dates in the report. |
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Web page configuration control Another CM use allows the tool to compare web page files with messages such as "This page last reviewed on February 28, 2001". Again, it is unnecessary to tell the tool any more than where the two files are located - there is no additional setup for the format or location of the date in the file. |
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Software compiler configuration control Frequent upgrading of machines is one reason software compilers are reinstalled. Whatever the cause, reinstalls (or moving development platforms) create an opportunity for subtle differences to creep into development environments. A nasty problem can be created by toggling the compiler switch for optimizations. Changing that switch (or others) can silently yeild very different (and perhaps untested) software versions. This utility allows detecting differences before customers detect them in the field. |
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Time dimensional testing Date warp testing is facilitated by this tool. In fact, the utility was initially developed while trying to create a completely automated testing method for Y2K. It was determined the complete Y2K testing solution required:
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