Folder Comparison Filters

The folder comparison filter is an ordered list of name filters used to match the names of files or folders you are comparing. You can use Compare to evaluate the file or folder names against the name filters. Once Compare finds a match or exclusion, the comparison stops.

The default name filters are:

!*.pdb;!*obj;!*.dll;!*.exe;!*.res;!*.resources;!*.cache;!*.ilk;!obj\;!objd\;!bin\

Name Filters

The following wildcard characters having special meaning when used in a name filter:

• ? - Matches exactly one character

• * - Matches zero or more characters

• ! - Specifies an exclusion name filter

• \ - Specifies a folder name filter

• ; - Name filter delimiter

  Note

  The following characters are not allowed in name filters: " < > | \b \0 \t and characters 0-31.

The name filters are applied to the file and folder names using the following rules:

• When Compare evaluates a file or folder name, it compares the name to each filter in the order you specified the filters. As soon as the file or folder name matches a filter, the name is a match and it is not compared against the remaining filters.

• A folder filter must end with the \ wildcard character.

• An exclusion filter must begin with the ! wildcard character.

• If you specify any filters that are not the exclusion filter, only files or folders that match the specified filters are included in the results.

• If you specify an exclusion filter, all files or folders that do not match the exclusion filter are included in the results.

• If you want to exclude a subset of file or folders names, you must specify the filter for the file or folder name you want to match first and then specify the exclusion filter.

Examples

Filter name mask examples:

Filter examples:

See Also

Tasks

How to: Compare Two Folders

How to: Reconcile Differences Between Two Folders