FactoryTalk View Comparison Tool: How to Determine if Two Programs are Identical

Question:

Hello! Is there a comparison utility available for FactoryTalk View that can be used to determine if two programs are exactly the same? I'm looking for something similar to the Logix comparison tool. Thank you!

Top Replies

Welcome to the Forum! I share your sentiment; it would be great if there were more comprehensive comparison tools available. Currently, the only tool that addresses this issue compares the Runtime (.mer) application on a terminal with the one on the development PC. However, it only provides a binary checksum result indicating whether the two versions are Identical or Different, without detailing the specific differences. You can find this comparison tool within the ME Transfer Utility applet.

**Comparing FactoryTalk View Components for Optimal Performance** To effectively compare the components within a .apa file in FactoryTalk View, begin by restoring the file and exporting its components, including displays. These displays can be exported as XML files, which can then be analyzed for differences using Notepad++. This method provides a clear view of any discrepancies. Similarly, you can apply this process to parameter files and message libraries; however, using Excel may offer a more user-friendly experience for those components. For a visual guide on this process, feel free to watch this informative video: https://youtu.be/eJsO5PRPHoQ.

Hey there! While FactoryTalk View doesn’t have a built-in comparison utility like the Logix comparison tool, you could try using third-party software like EasyPLC or even a text comparison tool if you can export the files to a readable format. It might not be as seamless, but it can help you spot differences. Just make sure any exported files maintain their structure for the best results! Good luck!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: FAQ 1:

Answer: - Question: Is there a comparison tool available for FactoryTalk View to determine if two programs are identical? - Answer: FactoryTalk View does not have a built-in comparison tool specifically for comparing two entire applications like the Logix comparison tool. However, you can use third-party tools or manually compare certain elements of the projects to identify differences.

FAQ: FAQ 2:

Answer: - Question: What are some methods to compare two FactoryTalk View programs if there is no dedicated comparison tool? - Answer: Without a dedicated tool, you can export the applications to XML format and use a text comparison tool to identify differences. Alternatively, manually reviewing components like screens, tags, and alarms can help determine discrepancies between the two applications.

FAQ: FAQ 3:

Answer: - Question: Can third-party tools be used to compare FactoryTalk View applications? - Answer: Yes, third-party file comparison tools can be used to compare exported versions of FactoryTalk View applications. These tools can highlight differences in the text files, making it easier to spot changes between versions.

FAQ: FAQ 4:

Answer: - Question: What types of elements should be checked when manually comparing two FactoryTalk View programs? - Answer: When manually comparing two FactoryTalk View programs, you should check elements such as screens, tag databases, alarms, macros, and global connections to ensure they are consistent across both applications.

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