Compare Initialization Variable

See Also

Indicates how VSS does its file comparisons, for the purpose of determining whether to get a file.

Syntax

Compare = {Contents|Checksum|Time}

Example

Compares the full contents of the file to determine if a file has changed:

Compare = Checksum

Remarks

When you get or check out a file, VSS does not recopy the file into your working folder if you already have an up-to-date copy there. This variable sets how VSS determines if your local copy is up-to-date. The following options are in order of increasing speed:

• Contents Compares the full contents of your local copy to the master copy. This is the slowest method, but the only one that works in all cases.
  
  
• Checksum Compares by a checksum stored by VSS. If two files have the same checksum values, but are different, this method fails (this happens rarely).
  
  
• Time Compares the date/time flag. This is the fastest setting, but its accuracy is influenced by the time and date settings of other computers using the file. (This setting is usually used only when your network supports synchronizing all computers on the network.)

As the speed of these options increases, so does the risk that VSS may incorrectly retrieve a file. Accordingly, it is recommended that you use the Contents option.

When using Compare=Time, the exact method of date comparison depends on the setting of the SetTime initialization variable. If SetTime is set to Check In, VSS replaces the local copy if the time of the last checkin (or add) is more recent than the modification date of your local copy. If SetTime is set to Current (the default) or Modification, VSS replaces the local copy if the VSS file's modification time is different from the local copy's modification time.

You can also set this variable in your SS.INI file by using the Compare Files By option on the Local Files tab in the SourceSafe Options dialog box.