• Overview
  • Code Orientation
  • VS Integration
  • 3-Way Merge
  • Folder Synchronization

  • Devart proudly presents Code Compare - an advanced visual file comparison tool and a major step forward in source code comparison. Our programmer-to-programmer philosophy ensures that both freeware Code Compare and powerful Code Compare Pro software are tailored to perfectly meet your needs in change tracking and file merging.

    Intuitive and user-friendly interface guarantees you can start comparing and merging your source files in a snap. Packed with numerous cutting-edge features and distributed as a standalone application or as a Visual Studio add-in, this code comparison tool vividly demonstrates that we could never offer our customers anything but the best file comparison software.

    Why people choose Code Compare?
    best file comparison software power
    • Code Oriented

      Code Orientation

      Source code comparison has just become a child's play! Code Compare introduces the concept of Code Orientation, ultimately standing it out of competitive file comparison software. The concept implies syntax highlighting as well as unique structure and lexical comparison algorithms. Code Compare takes into account language specifics, which allows comparing sources in several of the most popular programming languages as code!

    • Visual Studio Integration

      Smooth Visual Studio Integration

      Striving to make source file comparison and merge even more effective, we've added unique Visual Studio integration functionality to Code Compare. The true freedom of performing all the development and merging operations within one environment at the same time is finally at your hands. With a file comparison tool integrated, Visual Studio receives a special Code Compare menu and toolbar, which contain every function you needed for file comparison and 3-way merge.

    • 3-Way Merge

      Three-way Merge

      Three-way comparison and merge is one of the strongest functions incorporated in Code Compare tool. This function uses all the features native to two-way file comparison processing three files at once. The main goal is comparing one base file with two of its editions. Highly-customizable GUI and one-click operation make three-way merge an ultimately convenient solution for team projects.

    • Folder Synchronization

      Folder Synchronization

      From now on even if you don't use any version control systems, the extensive functionality of Code Compare can come in handy when you need to compare and merge entire folders. This application is very useful for detecting changes in different versions of source code or web pages.

    • Version Control Integration

      Version Control Integration

      Code Compare can be seamlessly integrated into any version control system, supporting external comparators, including SVN, TFS and Mercurial systems. This way you can easily track changes gradually implemented into your project files over time.

  • One of the major Code Compare hallmarks, distinguishing this file comparison tool from its counterparts, is the concept of Code Orientation. A Code-Oriented file comparison software takes into account specific features of the programming language and is fitted with a number of special functions, which combined provide developers with the ultimate tool for source comparison.

    Source code comparison has just become a child's play!

    • Syntax Highlighting

      Code Compare recognizes language syntax elements and highlights them in different colors, which makes visual file comparison and merge considerably easier. This is complemented with the Brace Matching feature, which highlights the beginning and the end of a code block. Ultimately you are able to experience an incomparably convenient code reading for comprehensive file comparison.

      Syntax Highlighting

    • Structure Comparison

      The concept of Code Orientation involves several pillars. One of them is Structure Comparison. This methodology allows comparing source code by its signature, instead of its location only. Code Compare supports Structure Comparison in several most popular languages, namely C#, JavaScript, Java and Visual Basic altogether making it a comprehensive tool for source code comparison.

      Structure Comparison

    • Lexical Comparison

      Another key point in the concept of code orientation is Lexical Comparison. This algorithm is triggered when you choose Symbol By Symbol comparison mode. It detects lexemes from supported languages and compares them word by word. Code Compare supports C#, C++, Visual Basic and JavaScript sources for Lexical Comparison.

      Lexical Comparison

    • Difference Explorer

      The final element of source-oriented file comparison is Difference Explorer. This advanced option (available in Code Compare Pro only) shows changes in class structure between revisions. It displays structure tree of source files and marks changes by colors. This way you can visually review changes in the code and navigate between them.

      Difference Explorer

  • One of the prominent features of Code Compare is its exclusive integration capability.

    • Visual Studio 2008
    • Visual Studio 2010
    The one environment for development and merge!

    While distributed as a standalone file comparison tool, Code Compare can also be smoothly integrated into different software environments, e.g. Windows Explorer, version control systems and most prominently - Microsoft Visual Studio integrated development environment.

    When integrated into Visual Studio 2008 or Visual Studio 2010 Code Compare receives numerous benefits in terms of file comparison and merging.

    For instance, you can view and compare the code directly in the native Visual Studio code editor, using all of its functionality, including keyboard shortcuts, code formatting and syntax validation the way you are used to. As a part of its advanced Visual Studio integration capabilities, Code Compare uses native Visual Studio colors to highlight syntax. Also, in this case Code Navigation and Intellisense function in the context of currently open solution.

    Comparing the project structure and merging its elements can now be performed using the solution explorer menu, containing a Code Compare item.

    • VisualStudio 2008 Integration

      Visual Studio 2008

    • VisualStudio 2010 Integration

      Visual Studio 2010

  • As part of its extended functionality Code Compare Pro file comparison tool offers a three-way comparison and merge of source files. This feature uses all the features native to two-way file comparison and has proven to be especially useful when several people are working on the same project.

    Three-way merge in a snap!

    Using this feature the content of one file placed on the center pane is compared with the content of left and right pane content simultaneously. You can open any three files using Browse button as well as Windows Explorer context menu or drag and drop.

    3-Way Merge - Vertical Layout

    3-Way Merge - Vertical Layout

    Yet, this feature is most commonly used to solve conflicts in version control systems. Three-way file merging allows you to merge two derived files to a base file or to a result file.

    3-Way Merge - Mixed Layout

    3-Way Merge - Mixed Layout

    As one of its newest additions, Code Compare GUI features a special toolbar for working with pane layout. Using these panes you can quickly switch between horizontal or vertical layout as well as hide any of the displayed panes, leaving only the ones necessary for you.

  • Code Compare allows you to use folder hierarchy comparison and synchronization to compare and merge entire directory trees. Advanced integration capabilities of this file comparison tool couldn't miss Windows Explorer. All you have to do in order to compare the contents of two folders is select them and choose the respective option from the context menu.

    Compare folders and copy changes - it's as easy as that!

    The folder comparison feature uses color highlighting to mark differences. You can merge folders with the help of Copy to Left and Copy to Right items of the context menu. If you want to compare a file from one folder with a respective file from another folder just double-click on the file or press ENTER on it.

    Folder Synchronization

    Folder Synchronization

    The resulting comparison is fairly quick, yet it can be further enhanced due to an additional option, which skips files with equal size and timestamp.

    Folder Synchronization Options

    Folder Synchronization Options

    Another helpful option is the possibility to filter files and folders. For instance, it allows you to ignore binary files and subversion folders.

    Comparison of individual files can be called by simple double-clicking or using Windows Explorer menu, integrated in context menu of files and folders. Finally, you can merge separated files one-by-one or whole folders from one pane to another.