Compare Application Object Layers

Use Compare layers to compare any two application object layers, including, for example, the SYP layer and the SYS layer.

Compare layers compares a source layer to a reference layer. Using the source layer as the basis, the compare process searches for objects that exist in the source layer only, and for object exist in both layers but are different.

The result of the comparison is a project that holds objects that either

  • do not exist in the reference layer, or that

  • exist in both layers, but are different.

  1. Click Tools > Development tools > Version Update > Compare layers.

  2. Enter a project name, select the layers to compare, and then click OK.

    Dialog options

    Option

    What it means

    Project name

    The name of the project that is the result of the compare layers process.

    Source layer

    The layer used as a basis for the comparison.

    The resulting project can never hold objects that are not included in the source layer.

    Reference layer

    The layer that you want to compare to the source layer.

    Note that you can choose OLD SYS as the reference layer. This is useful in an upgrade situation when you want to learn what application objects that have changed in the new version.

    The application object layer hierarchy has the following layers.

    USR - CUS - VAR - BUS - LOS - DIS - GLS - SYS

    In addition, the object layer hierachy has a corresponding number of patch layers.

    When the reference layer is a lower layer than the source layer, the reference layer automatically includes all lower layers. For example, if the USR layer is the source layer and it is compared to the CUS layers as a reference layer, then the reference layer includes CUS and all layers beneath it down to SYS.

    Example:

    If VAR is the source layer that you want to compare to the standard application with service packs installed, choose SYP as the reference layer. The compare layers process will then compare the VAR layer with the SYP and SYS layers.

A project holding application objects that differ is now created. The objects are presented in a tree structure and the regular Application Object Tree (AOT) shortcut menu commands are available.

Use the Compare command on the Add-ins shortcut menu to compare individual objects. To learn about comparing application objects, click F1 after selecting Compare > Add-ins.

TipTip

In a compare situation it is useful to be able to see the layer to which each object belongs. On the Tools menu, click Options... and on the Development tab, select Show all layers in the Application object layer list box.


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