Compare/Merge Providers preferences

Use the ClearCase Compare/Merge Providers preferences dialog box to specify external, 3rd-party Compare/Merge Provider tools.
The Compare/Merge Providers preferences page allows you to specify external, 3rd-party Compare/Merge Provider tools and to set parameters for these tools. The Compare/Merge Providers you specify on the Compare/Merge Provider Preferences page apply only to entries in the override table listed on the Compare/Merge Preferences page and are based on a resource's name or type. In addition, you can also specify that a preprocessing script or application be run before a Compare/Merge operation. If the Compare/Merge Provider you specify cannot perform the requested operation (such as, for example, comparing multiple directories), you can select an alternate Provider.

Controls in the dialog box

The following controls are displayed in the Compare/Merge preferences dialog box.

Column name Displays
Providers The Providers table contains a list of all external, 3rd-party Compare/Merge providers you have specified. If you have specified that the provider is used for Compare operations, the C column of the table entry contains a check mark. If you have specified that the provider is used for Merge operations, the M column of the table entry contains a check mark. If you have specified a preprocessor for the provider, the P column of the table entry contains a check mark. The name you have specified for the external provider appears in the Provider Name column of the table. The directory path to the external provider tool appears in the Path column of the table.
New Click to add the Compare/Merge Provider tool that is currently specified in the Provider Data section of the dialog box to the Providers table. This option becomes active when you have specified a Provider Name and Path for a new Compare/Merge Provider tool.
Apply Click to edit the parameter settings for the Compare/Merge Provider tool that is currently selected in the Providers table. This option becomes active when you have changed the parameter settings for the currently selected Provider Name and Path for a Compare/Merge Provider tool.
Remove Click to remove the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider tool from the Providers table.
Provider Name Indicates the name of the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider. If you are specifying a new Compare/Merge Provider, enter the name of the new Provider in this text box.
Path Indicates the directory path to the Compare/Merge Provider tool that is currently selected. If you are specifying a new Compare/Merge Provider tool, enter the directory path to the new tool in this text box.
Browse Click to invoke the Select Provider Application dialog box which you can use to locate and specify a Compare/Merge Provider tool.
Supports Compare Operations Click if you want to use the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider for Compare operations.
Arguments Use this field to specify the command line syntax required by the currently selected Compare Provider. For example, the currently selected Merge Provider might require syntax of the following form:
%contrib1% /title1=%filename1% %contrib2% /title2=%filename2%
You can mouse over this field to view Tool Tips showing the tags for a compare operation.
Contributors Click to add a %contribs% argument to the Arguments field.
Supports Merge Operations Click if you want to use the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider for Compare operations.
Arguments Use this field to specify the command line syntax required by the currently selected Merge Provider. For example, the currently selected Merge Provider might require syntax of the following form:
-file1 %contrib1% -file2 %contrib2% -out %merge_out% 
You can mouse over this field to view Tool Tips showing the tags for a merge operation.
Note: Some form of an output argument is required for a Merge Provider.
Contributors Click to add a %contribs% argument to the mergeArguments field.
Merge Output File Click to add a %merge_out% argument to the mergeArguments field, where %merge_out% is the output file.
Supports Preprocessing Click if you want to run a preprocessing script or application before a compare or merge operation when using the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider. For example, a simple preprocessing script that converts all characters in a file to upper case or lower case is as follows:
if exist %2 rm %2
c:\\utilities\\cygwin\\bin\\sed -b 'y/abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz/ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ/' %1 > %2
Arguments Use this field to specify the command line syntax required by the currently selected Compare/Merge Provider to call a preprocessor. For example, the preprocessor might require syntax of the following form:
%input% %output% 
You can mouse over this field to view Tool Tips showing the tags for a preprocessor operation.
Restore Defaults Restores all settings and options to their original states.
Apply Applies changes made in the Providers table and leaves the Preferences window open.
OK Applies any changes and dismisses the Preferences window.
Cancel Cancels the operation.

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