Use the Module Comparison wizard to compare two modules
and identify objects that have been inserted, deleted, moved, or edited.
For example, a set of requirements for a project might be updated
several times by the customer. You can import the updated requirements
into a new Rational® DOORS® module, and then compare
the new module to the original module.
Before you begin
Open the current version of the newer module in exclusive
edit mode. The wizard assumes that the module that it is run from
is the most recent, and marks up the text accordingly. The wizard
can add a column to the module to display changes with markup. Optionally,
create a view to add the column to. The view must include the main
column.
About this task
The wizard only compares plain text. Rich text formatting,
pictures, and OLE objects cannot be compared. OLE objects embedded
in text are also ignored when the text is compared.
Approximate
matching techniques are used, which work best when about 75% of the
heading structure of the modules that are being compared is identical.
- Identical and almost identical objects are matched
- Changes are displayed in a column in the new module with markup
- Links are created between objects that are matched.
- When the comparison is complete, a filter can be applied to both
modules so that only objects that have not been matched are displayed.
The comparison is performed in four stages. Stages one and
three are compulsory; stages two and four are optional. You can select
the attributes that the wizard compares.
Table 1. The stages
of a module comparisonStage |
Description |
One |
Matches objects that are identical. Objects
that have been moved are not matched during this stage. If a large
number of objects remain unmatched after this stage is complete, the
remaining phases are slow.
|
Two |
Matches objects that have changed. Objects
are matched if they appear in the same order in both modules, and
if some of the words being compared are identical. Objects that have
been moved are not matched during this stage.
You can define
what percentage of the text must be identical for objects to be matched.
The percentage is calculated by the number of identical words in the
object, and is approximate.
|
Three |
Compares the remaining objects and matches identical
objects, regardless of their position in the module. Objects that
have not been edited, but have been moved are matched during this
stage. |
Four |
Compares any objects that have not yet been
matched, and matches them if some of the text being compared is identical. Objects
that have been edited and moved are matched during this stage.
You
can define what percentage of the text must be identical for objects
to be matched. The percentage is calculated by the number of identical
words in the object, and is approximate.
|
Procedure
- Click , and step through the wizard. For more information
about any of the screens, click Help. The comparison starts when you complete the wizard. When
the comparison is complete, a dialog box is displayed, which provides
information about the comparison.
- Click Close. If
you selected to filter the modules to show unmatched objects, the
filter is applied.
If you ran all four stages of the wizard:
- Objects that have been inserted since the older module was created
are shown in the filter in the newer module
- Objects that have been deleted since the older module was created
are shown in the filter in the older module
Note: Objects that have more unmatched text than you specified
in the Maximum percentage difference in matched objects box
are also shown.
- Adjust the linking if necessary. You can manually link
any objects that have not been matched by the wizard, or delete any
links that you do not want.
What to do next
If the wizard added a column to display changes with markup,
and you want to add the column permanently, you need to save the view.