Comparison modes: by filedata and by content

ADCS allows to make a comparison of duplicate files in two modes: by filedata and by files content. Comparison that based on filedata only will compare file's date/time, size and attributes that will be taken from files. Comparison that based on files content is like filedata comparison and additional does comparison of files content. Comparison by content is more reliably, but it may take more time.

You can switch this modes by clicking on the button Content in the Trees toolbar or select the main menu item File|Content comparison (shortcut Alt+B). Switching to content mode will occur additional comparison of content for duplicate files which have the same size.

User interface has some differences for the modes. Filedata comparison mode has disabled some buttons on the Visibility filters. Also comparison table has different marks symbols for each mode.

Comparison by filedate mode allows to compare files only by file size, date/time stamps and file attributes.

You can see these symbols in the comparison table for filedata mode:

Green (by default) Synchronizing from left to right
Blue (by default) Synchronizing from right to left
Black Files which are considered identical by current comparison rules (no synchronization direction)

Visibility filters for content mode are different from the Visibility filters for filedata mode.

Comparison by content mode allows to compare files content for duplicate files which have the same size. The mode checks that the files also have the same content. In this mode ADCS will read a byte from one file and read a byte from second file. If this bytes are equal ADCS will read next bytes. If bytes are unequal then compared files are unequal by content and ADCS begin to compare next couple of duplicate files. If compared directories have much duplicate files that have equal sizes then comparison by content may take much time, so please be patient.

You can see these symbols in the comparison table for content mode:

Green (by default) Synchronizing from left to right
Blue (by default) Synchronizing from right to left
Black equal Files have identical content and are considered identical by current comparison rules (no synchronization direction)
Red equal Files have identical content and are considered unequal by current comparison rules
Red unequal Files are unequal by content

Visibility filters for content mode are different from the Visibility filters for filedata mode.

	Green (by default)	Synchronizing from left to right
	Blue (by default)	Synchronizing from right to left
	Black	Files which are considered identical by current comparison rules (no synchronization direction)