Active File Compare

Active File Compare version 2.0.0.1 by Formula Software, Inc. is an advanced utility in the System Utilities category, specifically under File Managers. This tool excels at both comparison and synchronization of text files, and is particularly useful for comparing source code versions. The latest incarnation of the program, weighing in at a lightweight 1 MB, is compatible with a wide range of Windows operating systems—XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11.

The core of Active File Compare lies in its ability to compare the contents of two folders, including those that exist within Zip, Tar, and GZip archives. The side-by-side display highlights differences, even down to individual characters, and supports syntax highlighting for various programming languages such as C++, C#, Java, Delphi, Object Pascal, SQL, Perl, Assembler, and Fortran, among others. This makes it an irreplaceable tool for developers working with multiple code versions.

Additionally, Active File Compare includes a built-in File Manager. It features two side-by-side windows, allowing users to manage files with ease. The tool supports various basic file operations including copy, move, delete, and rename, and employs filters to control file display. Editing capabilities are robust, permitting synchronization of file fragments and individual line edits after comparison.

Previous versions, like 2.0, 1.8, and 1.7, offer a glimpse into the tool’s evolution, each maintaining a focus on precision and usability. The software also supports generating comparison reports in HTML or Unix Diff formats, and offers multilingual interface options.

The small file size makes the software easy to download and quick to install. Impressively, it provides a full suite of features at no cost, being completely free. Given its utility and extensive feature set, it's no wonder that Active File Compare stands out in its field.

Pros:

• Advanced file and folder comparison
• Supports a wide range of programming languages
• Built-in file manager with comprehensive functionality
• Lightweight and quick installation
• Free to use

Cons:

• Interface may be overwhelming for beginners
• Limited to Windows operating systems

You may want to check out more software, such as File compare software to compare files, File Comparer or Active@ File Recovery, which might be related to Active File Compare.