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Eclipse: Compare More Than Just Text Files

At 10:14 PM on Jul 18, 2005, R.J. Lorimer wrote:

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Most Eclipse users know that Eclipse can compare Java, text, and property files in 3.1, each with support for any internal structures. Java file comparisons can show you the differences based on methods, fields, and classes, and property files can show them on a per-property basis. These structural comparisons are nice because they aren't thrown off by the ordering of the file changing (in the case of sorting Java members, or rearranging property file entries) like a traditional 'diff' may be. There isn't much internal structure to a text file per-say, so a plain-text file has no structural compare, but the comparison engine is still fairly strong none-the-less.

However, many developers aren't aware of the fact that Eclipse can also compare the internal structure of JAR files (and ZIP files by that same admission). Obviously, given the binary nature of a JAR file, a structural comparison is a must. Thankfully, the comparison editor for JAR files is designed to center around the tree structure of the JARs being compared.

To compare two JAR files, simply select them in the navigator or package explorer, right click, and click 'Compare with Each Other':

Once done, you are given the opportunity to traverse the two different JAR structures and compare any differences, *including* a nested comparison of internal members (such as java files, property files, and text files - as seen below).