tkdiff Files

V 5.2             (03/04/2021):

• Permits recursive scanning of entire directory TREEs for candidate
  • files. Uses Diff itself to perform the search by passing the needed
  • options, which then become a new preference setting (to allow for
  • alternative Diff engine usage)
• Now shades the BOUNDARY LINE during "Split"-push manipulations:
  • provides clearer feedback; edge is now perceived to exist immediately
  • BETWEEN the shaded line and the line directly above it
• Reduced 'interactive startup' reliance on a message console and now
  • promotes a "retry" paradigm, rather than aborting, by presenting the
  • interactive command dialog after issuing MOST startup failure messages
• Fixed broken "Find Nearest Diff" (via the popup menu) to now use the
  • user chosen popup LOCATION as the point for measuring "Nearest"
• Repaired derivation of the INITIAL temp-dir path preference for NEW
  • WINDOWS users that was broken by previous release.
• Resolved minor clipping issue in toolbar combobox (re: fonts)
• Avoid Diff crash caused by specifying MULTIPLE unique "ignore blanks"
  • preference options
• Avoid crash from malformed filename utilizing tilde-expansion to a
  • non-existant user
• Repaired missing Key Accelerator+Tip for File->Recompute menu item
• Toolbar buttons now reset fully when a valid Diff execution happens
  • to yeild ZERO results
• Visible Focus-tabbing restored to dir/file browser buttons in the
  • NewDiff dialog to facilitate keyboard navigation

With the exception of the NEW (long awaited) ability to collect all like-named files among two user-provided directories, by requesting via the command line or the interactive input dialog, a recursive search, this release might be considered primarily a "clean up loose ends" type of release. Many of the fixes involved odd, hidden, perhaps little used corners of the tool. However, the change in approach to the collection, verifying, and reporting of exceptional conditions detected by the tool, particularly during startup was targetted to tilt the flavor of the user interaction to be one of a more "graphically-oriented" presentation than of its original roots as a commandline (aka console) tool. Either way continues to work, but the intent was to provide a better (if not perfect) "feel" to platforms not really designed from a command line perspective. We hope users of such platforms appreciate the effort, and welcome feedback.

As always, the builtin help facility has been updated to reflect, where necessary, any changes in settings or feature operations in addition to the always ongoing editting for improved clarity throughout. If its been a while since your last read, take a few minutes to see if there might not be something described that could help your usage. Its not a book, but its a LOT more than just a manpage.

The provided zipfile will unzip to its own subdirectory named "tkdiff-5-2" containing a README.txt file (having installation instructions), a Changelog file to highlight current (and past) modifications, the actual tkdiff Tcl script, and the (required) copy of the GNU License. We hope you find this new version both useful and reliable. Feel free to leave reviews, trouble tickets, new ideas; whatever you would like.