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I have used this application for a while. The idea behind it is very simple. It compares the differences between two files. It will then proceed to show you the difference in a visual format so you can make decisions based on the file. It is very useful if you end up with two files that look very similar and you want to know exactly what the difference is. Changes is what you need.

What Have I Changed Again?

As mentioned previously this application is designed to show you the changes between two files. Once as you select the files you want to compare and load them into the application you will end up with a screenshot similar to the one below. All of the red areas are different between the two files.

You can then proceed to work out what you need to do with the two files. For example you can use the merge from left or right functions to merge any differences, so the files are correct. One of the coolest features is the ability to edit both files in the window. You can then save them out separately from the program.

As well as comparing files you can also compare folders. Which is very useful if you get a massive folder full of files and you know there is only a couple of changes between them.

Wait, Whats In Developer Tools

On its own Changes is a great application. It does everything it says on the tin. You can quickly see what the difference between two files are. But the biggest problem is that there is an application very similar to this in the developer tools provided on your Mac Leopard installation disk. For example if you look at the image below, the similarities between the programs is unreal.

You can get to the developer tools version by going to Developer > Applications > Utilities > File Merge. This assumes that you have installed the tools in the first place.

Conclusion

Even though I have pointed out that FileMerge is available to you, Changes is still a good program. It does have a couple more features such as the ability to merge, and the interface is nicer. But since you can get a version of this program for free it really isn’t worth it. I was going to give this program 4 stars. But I have knocked it down to 2. It was going to be 1, but the folder compare gained it a star. Adding insult to injury this application costs $39.95, which I think is way to expensive for what you get.

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