FMDiff Is A FileMaker® Pro Developer Tool
It's a "First of its Kind" application to:
- compare FileMaker Pro files against backups or clones
- show a file's Recover count (trust in the state of the file)
- unveil a file's unchangeable creation date (prove of ownership)
- list system and FileMaker version counts the file was used with (up to FM 11)
- check for obvious and hidden file corruption
- be very easy to use (no DDR required, just two FileMaker files or folders)
- run super-fast!
FMDiff Compares FileMaker Pro Files And Lists Differences ^
If your solution suddenly exhibits strange behaviour, how do you find out what happened to the files? How much time would you have to invest to find out? Would it be possible at all?
With FMDiff the basic test is done within minutes. Simply compare your backup or "Good Clone" against the solution. You immediately learn whether anything has changed and where, either due to human, hardware, or software error.
FMDiff compares your current solution against a previous one and reports the differences. For the first time it is now possible to verify that the internal file structure (tables, fields, relations, etc.) is the same as at the time of delivery. This is especially important for sensitive areas like accounting or healthcare. FMDiff is able to read FileMaker files of type .fp3, .fp5, .fp7, and .fmp12. Files of the same type can be compared against each other. This includes FileMaker Pro 13 files.
You are able to document the progress in development or unauthorised modifications by someone else.
You even may compare files in environments where the original configuration does not exist, like ODBC, JDBC, ESS, or devices (camera) are not connected.
FMDiff Tests For Damages ^
FMDiff knows whether your FileMaker Pro files are still intact. While comparing it checks the file's structure to be "well-formed". The licensed version of FMDiff even performs additional tests for ascending IDs and correct block lengths. This is something that even the native FileMaker Recover command does not always straighten out, which may lead to subsequent malfunctions or crashes.
The combination of keeping a good copy (one that never crashed) and using FMDiff to compare it against the installed solution can be considered the best possible security measure.
FMDiff Unveils The Original Creation Timestamp ^
When was the file originally created? Every file stores an internal time stamp that does never change when a file is Cloned, Recovered or Copied. This time stamp serves to identify "an original" and is a means to prove ownership.
FMDiff Unveils The Recover Count and lists System and FileMaker Versions used with the file ^
(Unfortunately this information is no longer logged within the file since FM 12 and hence can't be shown.
Has a file ever been Recovered? How many times? This is very important to judge about the quality and sanity of a solution.
How many times and with what platforms, system versions, FileMaker Pro or Server versions has a file ever been run? This helps to track down version related errors.
Who Needs FMDiff? ^
The short answer is: anyone who is in charge of ordering, developing, hosting, maintaining, or auditing FileMaker solutions will need FMDiff. These include:
- All database developers
- Internet Service Providers
- IT managers or responsible party
- SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) Compliance Auditors
FMDiff serves to document an ongoing solution development. At one and the same time the programmer and the customer have a means to prove and inspect the progress at regular intervals. It shows the exact number of changes that were applied to specific sections within the structure.
Download FMDiff free of charge
Download FMDiff for your platform. The free version shows the first 5 differences of every section, the rest is listed 'anonymously' i. e. all names and IDs are shown as asterisks (*). It can be upgraded by purchasing a license number from within the application or at our web shop. There are special upgrade conditions for existing customers at our web shop.
Any information about FMDiff and FMVis is subject to change without
notice.
© 2005 - 2015 Winfried Huslik †. © 2024 Jürgen Geßwein. All Rights Reserved. FMDiff and FMVis are trademarks of Jürgen Geßwein, Augsburg, Germany. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA. Other trademarks mentioned are property of their respective owners. This web site has not been authorised, sponsored, or otherwise approved by FileMaker, Inc.