Comparison of hierarchical structures and merging of differences
US6848078B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99954
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A software tool to allow a user to compare a base file containing XML statements to a modified file and from the comparison, create a third file. The comparison between the base and modified files results in a comparison tree which contains, as nodes, all of the information in the base file as well as the differences located in the modified file. Differences between the nodes of the two files are highlighted in a comparison tree and the user may resolve the differences to create a third file or optionally incorporate the selected differences into the base file. As nodes are examined in the comparison tree and decisions made as to which nodes to include in the third file, differences in the comparison tree are resolved. As a difference is resolved, any node in the comparison tree dependent upon the now resolved difference is no longer highlighted if it too has had the difference resolved. The tool is most commonly used to determine changes made to a source code base file and allows the individual maintaining a stable source code base to determine if the changes in the modified file should be integrated into the base file.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.