You can compare any two databases, local or server based. You can even compare local Notes databases that don't reside in your Notes data directory.

To begin the comparison process, click the Compare button. This will cause the comparison results to be displayed in a dialog box, like the one in Figure E.

FIGURE E


The main Teamstudio Delta dialog box--the databases and design elements compared appear side by side. Roll over picture for a larger image.

If you prefer to have the comparison results stored as documents in a Notes database, click on the Report button instead. If the databases you're comparing have a lot of differences, creating a report database, like in Figure F, is the better way to go.

FIGURE F


A Teamstudio Delta report--all comparison results are written to a database Roll over picture for a larger image.

Comparing design elements in the same database
If you (or another developer who shall remain nameless) stores old versions of design elements in a production database with names like "Copy of MainTopic" and "Another copy of MainTopic", or with a numbering convention like "MainTopic1" and "MainTopic2", you can use Delta to determine the differences between the current version of a design element and its "backups".

In this situation, you would be comparing a database to itself. In the initial Delta dialog box, select the same database for Database 1 and Database 2, as shown in Figure G.

FIGURE G


Comparing design elements in the same database. Roll over picture for a larger image.

When you click the Compare button, Delta will prompt you with, "You are comparing a database with itself. Are you sure you want to do this?" Click on the Yes button to continue. When the comparison dialog box opens, be sure to remove the checkmark next to Hide identical objects.

Next, select the first design element in the left pane and the second design element in the right pane. Right-click on the design element in the right pane and select Match in the pop-up box, like you see in Figure H.

FIGURE H


Matching two different design elements in the same database. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Then, expand either design element in either pane to see the differences, like shown in Figure I.

FIGURE I


Examining the differences between two matched design elements. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Note: you'll need to match the two design elements each time you need to compare them.

Comparing two views of documents
You can also use Delta to compare the contents of a view in two different databases or replicas. Here, Delta determines what documents have been added/changed/deleted between the two views.

To compare the contents in two views, select different databases for Database 1 and Database 2. Change the Options setting from Compare Design to Compare Data like in Figure J.

FIGURE J


To compare the contents of a view between two databases, switch to Compare Data. Roll over picture for a larger image.

To select a view to be used for comparison, click on the Select button and select a view from the combo box, like you see in Figure K.

FIGURE K


Select a view common to both databases. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Delta will then compare the contents of the two views, and display the results in a dialog box similar to what is used to display design element changes, like the one shown in Figure L.

FIGURE L


The results of a view comparison tell you what documents have been added, changed, and/or deleted. Roll over picture for a larger image.