"undisable" compare by content in FTP mode

[phz]

compare by content is extremely useful option but is disabled in FTP mode.

now someone will say: yes, but FTP is slow so compare by content would be too slow.

maybe true in last century but not today and most certainly a big limitation. we have broadband, fast connections, local ftp servers etc. etc.

you can do compare by content for each individual file but due to it being disabled for ftp you cannot compare entire folder or similar. i don't have to mention how slow it is to compare it with CTRL-F3 on each file.

i have also an idea to cache the file comparisons in ftp mode by using server-stored md5 hashtable (and locally stored hashtable). i use this currently as a PHP script which I run both on server and locally and then compare text output "by content" but that's not really the real thing. hashtable could also contain additional file/folder info and be updated on each ftp transfer. actually, when i think of it - local hashtable is not really necessary as it could be calculated in realtime as local file system is much faster.

[petermad]

you can do compare by content for each individual file but due to it being disabled for ftp you cannot compare entire folder or similar

You can not use "Compare by Content" (cm_CompareFilesByContent) on more than one filepair on your local HD either - perhaps you are referring to using the "Synchronize Dirs" tool (cm_FileSync) with the option "by content" enabled? If that is the case - I can support your request.

[phz]

yes, i obviously stated it incorrectly - i meant on "synchronize dirs" and "by content" option which is greyed out on FTP transfers.

[petermad]

Support++

[phz]

Support++

is that supposed to mean something?

[petermad]

It means that I support your request rather strongly

We usually give between 0 and 3 +'s

[phz]

great 2 out of 3

[sqa_wizard]

i meant on "synchronize dirs" and "by content" option

Well, TC cannot compare the files directly on FTP server.

That means, TC has to download file by file to local temp directory, compare it and delete it just to show the result.
Next TC has to up/download it again if you decide to synch it.
A lot of traffic and very slow ...

[petermad]

A lot of traffic and very slow

But shouldn't that be up to the user to decide whether he wants to wait for it.

If the files has to be compared anyway, it is definately much easier than having to press ctrl+F3 for every file yourself.

Of course that is not something you would use for a big folder tree with thousands of files, but for comparing a reasonable number of files (10-50 depending on size) it could be very convenient.

[phz]

exactly. i knew it was just a matter of time when someone with that argument will come that it takes a lot of traffic. the user should decide that, if you don't need it, the box is unchecked and no problem. but having it greyed feels very limiting especially when this feature is already half-done.

yes, it has to download each individual file in temp folder, but it does that ANYWAY when you press CTRL-F3 or double click the line so it is already practically half-done.

and my ftp server is lightning fast as an example with no bandwidth limit. so it may be slow for your server but for my it feels just limiting. i'm sure many people here would agree.

[StatusQuo]

Support++.
Also suggested here: Synchronize directories FTP <--> local: Content option

[ado]

oh yes, I'd love to have it - this is one of the features I am missing almost daily
support+++

[AntonioBakula]

support +++

please, I really need this, this is really not slow on 10/10 mbit internet link.

[Flint]

7.55 now supports comparing by MD5 if server supports this feature. Not exactly "by content" but pretty close.

[AntonioBakula]

7.55 now supports comparing by MD5 if server supports this feature. Not exactly "by content" but pretty close.

that would be great, I installed 7.55 but I don't see anything like this. Does anybody knows is IIS 7 FTP server suport this MD5 ? I have problem googling this information.