The DOS/Batch File Compare Program FILCOM

This document describes FILCOM, a system program used under the DOS/BATCH Monitor to compare two ASCII source datasets and generate a list of their differences. While primarily for ASCII files, it can indirectly compare binary files by first converting them to ASCII using the FILDMP program. Users run FILCOM by typing "RUN FILCOM" and then issue commands at a "%" prompt.

FILCOM commands are processed by the DOS/BATCH Command String Interpreter (CSI) and follow a format like list dataset<master dataset,newmaster dataset. The program offers two types of option switches:

1. LOCAL Switches: These affect only the command they are included in. Examples include:

   • /SC:n: Specifies 'n' consecutive lines as the minimum unit for ASCII source comparison.
   • /BL, /BL:ON, /BL:OFF: Controls whether blank lines are compared or ignored (default is ignored).
   • /TR, /TR:ON, /TR:OFF: Determines if trailing blanks are significant or ignored (default is ignored).
   • /MB: Treats multiple non-trailing blanks (including TABs) as a single blank.
   • /DE: Deletes an existing output list file to prevent errors.

2. GLOBAL Switches: These set default conditions for a series of subsequent commands. Only one GLOBAL switch is allowed per command string, and they cannot be used for file comparisons themselves. Examples include:

   • /DF, /DF:ON, /DF:OFF: Defines or resets default conditions for LOCAL switches.
   • /IN, /IN:ON, /IN:OFF: Reads and executes FILCOM commands from a specified indirect file.
   • /LO, /LO:ON, /LO:OFF: Specifies a log dataset to record executed commands and list file information.
   • /LS, /LS:ON, /LS:OFF: Sets a default output dataset for difference listings for subsequent commands.

The output from FILCOM includes the original command, followed by identified differences from both the master and new master files, showing the line number and the associated text.