Implemented Template diff comparison indicator / editor

[Trombones13]

I don't know about IPB, but in vBulletin, if you've edited a template, you're able to click "View Original" to see what changes are made. I've been missing this function as I've been editing on XF, particularly when going back and trying to see what I've actually changed in the template. The View Original option would highlight what parts of the code you've added or subtracted from the original, making it easy to compare the original and the current versions at a glance. I think that adding that option would make it much easier for style developers and those tweaking their templates for other various reasons.

 

[Paul B]

I beleive you're asking for the differences to be shown between the templates.

This was raised before and I believe the general consensus was an external editor is better suited to this.

 

[bogus]

Ya thats what i meant. Quit hard to explain for me, since i am no native english.
Thanks for the Answer. And... Is anything planned in this direction?

 

[glorify]

Title edited

I'm not sure if you're aware but Notepad++ has a great file compare feature which does exactly this.
I know this is a suggestion for the core software but in the meantime/if it doesn't get included, just thought I'd let you know this is possible.

View attachment 7768

Do you know of anything for a Mac that does the same thing?

 

[Paul B]

Sorry no, I'm sure there is one though.

 

[Bob]

Do you know of anything for a Mac that does the same thing?

you can run Notepad++ on a mac with "wine". There are also some open source MacPad++ apps.. http://sourceforge.net/projects/macpp/ also Textmate or Textwrangler. might check out CODA as well

 

[ragtek]

Everybody is welcome to finish http://xenforo.com/community/threads/super-secret-ninja-stuff.11979/#post-174030

 

[glorify]

you can run Notepad++ on a mac with "wine". There are also some open source MacPad++ apps.. http://sourceforge.net/projects/macpp/ also Textmate or Textwrangler. might check out CODA as well

Thanks dude.

 

[pank]

bbedit is great for mac and their lighter free textmate version works perfectly for comparing 2 files

 

[Andy To]

It would be neat if changes to templates can be highlighted, so that the designer can see what have been changed. I guess this will save the designer a lot of time.

 

[ragtek]

You could try this add-on http://xenforo.com/community/threads/super-secret-ninja-stuff.11979/ (it was never finished because i stopped development, but everybody is welcome to continue it...)

 

[Paul B]

Changed templates are already indicated in the list.

Or do you mean highlight the actual template content?

I would recommend using a program which allows files to be compared, Notepad++ for example.

 

[Andy To]

You could try this add-on http://xenforo.com/community/threads/super-secret-ninja-stuff.11979/ (it was never finished because i stopped development, but everybody is welcome to continue it...)

That is exactly what I have in mind. It would be cool if it is implemented in the system itself. So much more time would be saved.

 

[Andy To]

Changed templates are already indicated in the list.

Or do you mean highlight the actual template content?

I would recommend using a program which allows files to be compared, Notepad++ for example.

What I mean mean is highlight the actual template content. I find myself copy and paste repeatedly into software such as Notepadd++ when doing template modification. Most of the time it is a change of one or 2 lines, yet it is difficult to find by just looking at it (some of the templates are very long). If comparison is done between the parent template, changes can be detected.

 

[Paul B]

Notepad++ allows you to compare two files - Plugins -> Compare -> Compare or Alt+D

I copy the modified template to Notepad++, then revert the template and copy it to a new tab in Notepad++, then compare the two.

 

[Akrion]

Notepad++ allows you to compare two files - Plugins -> Compare -> Compare or Alt+D

I copy the modified template to Notepad++, then revert the template and copy it to a new tab in Notepad++, then compare the two.

Yep that is exactly what I was about to suggest. Notepad++ is a must have.

 

[Paul B]

I believe also this is a duplicate of this suggestion: http://xenforo.com/community/threads/view-original-template-comparison.9331/

So I will merge the threads.

 

[M@rc]

This would help me a lot,
Although, for now I just have a topic in my private forum in my xenForo board with notes on everything that I've changed,

 

[ceribik]

Would love to have a 'diff' feature for comparing an old/outdated template to the new master one.

An auto-updater as per this would be even better:
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/template-diff-indicator.22642/#post-285844

 

[Mike]

I think the various template system improvements for 1.2 should cover all of this.