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How to: Compare Files

You can compare files to determine how a file has progressed to its present state. For example, if you detect a defect in a build of your code project after a particular source file version is checked in, you can compare the current file version to a previous one. This helps you to pinpoint the code that introduced the defect.

You can use SQL Server Management Studio to compare a local copy of a project or file to the version stored in source control, or to compare two local files. Also, using the History command, you can compare any two source-controlled versions.

To compare files

  1. In Solution Explorer, select either a project or one of the project files.

  2. On the File menu, point to Source Control, and click Compare.

  3. In the Difference Options dialog box, select the appropriate options, and then click Report.