cannot compare directories

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ismanpa
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cannot compare directories

Post by *ismanpa »

Hello,

When I try to compare selected directories, I get the following message:

"Warning. The left and the right side show the same directory! D:|Downloads"

I have selected directories Martial Arts and Martial Arts Collection.

Please help.

Thank you!
umbra
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Post by *umbra »

Sorry, but unlike file comparison, folder synchronization doesn't care, what folders you have selected, only what folders are open in your left and right panel. It seems weird, but that's how it is.
Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 11 Pro x64
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MVV
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Post by *MVV »

ismanpa,
When you click button 'Compare' in Sync dialog, TC compares dialogs whoose paths are specified in edit windows at the top of Sync dialog (you can change paths manually). And, as umbra said, when you open Sync dialog, TC uses current paths in panels, not selected folder paths.

umbra,
Selection in panels is used by Sync tool as filter of items to be compared, so nothing strange here.
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Hacker
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Post by *Hacker »

I think you all three are talking about different things. :D
ismanpa is talking about Shift-F2 - Compare directories.
umbra is talking about the same but mistakenly calls it "folder synchronization".
MVV is talking about "sync tool" or "sync dialog".

Or perhaps I am completely wrong. :)
Roman
Mal angenommen, du drückst Strg+F, wählst die FTP-Verbindung (mit gespeichertem Passwort), klickst aber nicht auf Verbinden, sondern fällst tot um.
umbra
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Post by *umbra »

2Hacker, 2MVV
I knew exactly, what I was talking about. :)
Ismanpa wanted to "compare selected directories". With the way how Compare directories (Shift+F2) works, it doesn't make sense to select some directories. However Synchronize directories works (at least visually) similar to Compare by content. That's why it seems weird, that you can select files to compare but not directories to synchronize. I do know why it works this way, but for many it's just unexpected.
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Post by *Hacker »

umbra,
But you wrote
folder synchronization doesn't care, what folders you have selected
which is wrong. You meant "compare directories", not "folder synchronization" which indeed does care what folders you have selected. ;)

Roman
Mal angenommen, du drückst Strg+F, wählst die FTP-Verbindung (mit gespeichertem Passwort), klickst aber nicht auf Verbinden, sondern fällst tot um.
umbra
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Post by *umbra »

2Hacker
I was talking about a common user. When he knows, that he can select two files in one panel and compare them, then he expects that he can do the same with directories. And many people (me included) use "Synchronize directories" not just for synchronization but also for simple directory comparison, because it offers a much better overview and control than "Compare directories" (which I have rarely used).
And from this point of view, selecting directories and using "Compare directories" doesn't make sense while "Synchronize directories" doesn't work as expected.
Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 11 Pro x64
ismanpa
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Post by *ismanpa »

I am sorry to have made you dedate on this :) I have now learnt that I have to open the directories I want to compare and select everything in them' this way the comparison works.

But for God's sake, do not confuse simple users like myself with functions that are NOT in the programme. I mean Compare Directories. Try as I might and felling stupid after that, I did not find such a function Do you mean Files?Compare by content? Please open my eyes and tell me where that thing is,

Thank you!
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MVV
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Post by *MVV »

ismanpa,
Files - Compare by content... - compare two files with same names in different panels, or two selected files in any panel.
Mark - Compare directories* - selects new (by date) or unique files in every panel.
Mark - Mark Newer, Hide Same Files* - almost like previous but hides equal files.
Commands - Synchronize Dirs...* - opens Sync tool that provides extended compare and synchronize dirs feature.

(* - show mentioned warning when you're trying to compare same directories)
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