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macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 21, 2005
2,024
164
Norway
I need a tool to easily compare the contents of folders (e.g. comparing a backup drive to the source drive) and have tried several (expensive) such tools, and also several useless free equivalents, but read about Filemerge from Apple, as part of the Xcode developer package.
I downloaded Xcode from the App store for free, but didn't find any such app. Is Filemerge no longer available, or do I have to download it as some sort of supporting file for Xcode?
 
I need a tool to easily compare the contents of folders (e.g. comparing a backup drive to the source drive) and have tried several (expensive) such tools, and also several useless free equivalents, but read about Filemerge from Apple, as part of the Xcode developer package.
I downloaded Xcode from the App store for free, but didn't find any such app. Is Filemerge no longer available, or do I have to download it as some sort of supporting file for Xcode?

It should be inside the Xcode's app directory actually. Right click on Xcode's app icon, select Show Package Contents. From there, go into Contents -> Applications and you'll see FileMerge there.

I like to just make a symlink (alias) to it in the Applications folder, or Spotlight can find it if you have the 'Developer' option checked in Spotlight's Preferences.
 
Found it! Thanks :)
It's not as intuitive as I was hoping for so I may just have to spend $$$$ on a commercial tool such as Deltawalker (US$ 40)... unless there are other suitable alternatives.
I realize Deltawalker has lots of features I don't need, but it's fast and intuitive. For just comparing the contents of two folder structures (e.g. on source and backup drives), and the ability to delete/copy etc. the differences between the files, what else is worth considering?
 
Since Deltawalker was half price recently I ended up buying it even though I only use a little of what it's capable of. Might come in handy later though.
 
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