List your favorite compare / merge utility

[AndrewC]

I saw Eddie's discussion on editor and I like to start another similar one. What is your favorite compare / merge utility?

We often need to compare input data, results, or even program files in order to understand what the difference are and where they come from. A good compare / merge utility would drastically imrpove your productivity.

I have used a few:

- TFS (Microsoft Team Foundation Server)
- IBM Clear Case
- DiffMerge (Free)
- Beyond Compare ($30 / $50)

I would recommend Beyond Compare.

If you are using SQL Server, Visual Studio has data compare utility to compare data, table structure....

[atfl]

While at work I miss kompare/kdiff... I've actually gone home early a time or two to use it on my Linux box.

[atfl]

And I also use md5sum/md5deep to be sure multiple files that I assume are identical truely are identical.

[GadgetGeek]

kdiff
fc

[vjvj]

Beyond Compare

[vjvj]

Also the Spreadsheet Compare add-in.

[Ron Weasley]

proc eyeball;

Best SAS procedure ever.

[Rick_G]

I liked the diff program that was part of the Visual Basic 6 Tools. Now I am using WinMerge.

[Jemaine Clement]

WinMerge for text, DiffEngineX for Excel.

[diegol]

To compare files, HashTab is the coolest thing ever indeed.

IT won't let me install it though [sigh]