Comparing XML Files

[Mark Jerde]

I'm asking for ideas how to compare XML files. The files are schema-based
"Test Logs". They will be generated by several different machines, and the
longer files could be 1000 lines.

Some differences are ok:
<computer>SPITFIRE</computer>
vs
<computer>ODIN</computer>


However most differences are NOT ok:
<results>Passed</results>
vs
<results>Failed</results>


Additionally, some children may not always be in the same order, but this is
ok.


I'm wondering if the test logs could be imported into Excel or Access and
(more easily) analyized. I hope is isn't a from-scratch C# or VB .NET
application.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

-- Mark

 

[John Sun]

I'm asking for ideas how to compare XML files. The files are schema-based
"Test Logs". They will be generated by several different machines, and the
longer files could be 1000 lines.

Some differences are ok:
<computer>SPITFIRE</computer>
vs
<computer>ODIN</computer>


However most differences are NOT ok:
<results>Passed</results>
vs
<results>Failed</results>


Additionally, some children may not always be in the same order, but this is
ok.


I'm wondering if the test logs could be imported into Excel or Access and
(more easily) analyized. I hope is isn't a from-scratch C# or VB .NET
application.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

-- Mark

Mark,

Sometimes, it's easier to write a little application to do the
comparison. .Net offers a rich library to parse the Xml files. You
surely could import it into Excel or Access , but even in that way, I
would suggest to write some scripts. Imagine if you have to do it a
thousand times, wouldn't it be nicer to write a simple application, and
double click it instead of going to File ->import -> ....

My two cents.

Jianwei

 

[Matt]

Mark,

Go to gotdotnet.com and look under tools at XML diff. It can easily be used
to get a set of difference information between 2 XML files.

HTH,

Matt