How to Compare a Release With Its Backup

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A backup comparison is a comparison between an exported release and the backup of this release. This can be used for example to view last day's changes.

The actual backup of a release is made if the release exists, just before the release is exported.

A backup comparison cannot be defined manually. It is generated if the Backup checkbox for a release is selected, and it is deleted when this field is cleared. Technically, a backup comparison is just a release comparison with the same source and target. However, the hidden Source XML field is set to the .old.xml file.

Backup comparisons are shown in the Catalog, under Comparisons.

IMPORTANT:

To be able to compare a release with its backup, this release must have been exported twice.

To compare a release with its backup:

1.From the Configure tab of the catalog, under Backup Comparisons, open the backup comparison to be performed.
The appropriate Backup Comparison window opens.
2.Optionally, set or change some more comparison settings:

•From the Change Type dropdown list, select whether All changes are reported (default), or Inserts, Deletes, or Updates only.

•Select the Show OLD Values checkbox to specify that in the case of Updated records, the OLD (source) values are reported in the comparison.

•By default, OLD values are not reported.

•Specify a By User value to report only the changes made by a specific user.

NOTE:

For this purpose, Definer columns with the following names are compared:

CREATED_BY, CREATE_USER, CHANGED_BY, CHANGE_USER
Select the USoft Import XML checkbox to generate an XML document that can be used to change the SOURCE into the TARGET release.
This document can then be imported in the Definer of a repository that is exactly identical to the Source repository.

IMPORTANT:

Executing these manipulations is at your own risk.
Select the PDF Differences checkbox to generate a PDF difference report.
3.Save your changes.
4.Click the Compare button to compare the release with its backup.

Now, the release comparison is made, resulting in information message:

XML Difference Report generated.

And, if you selected the PDF Differences checkbox:

PDF Difference Report generated.

At the top of the window, current date and time are filled.