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Using Delta

You can begin using Delta as follows:

To compare design elements within a single database

  1. In Designer, open one of the databases you want to compare.

  2. Click the Delta button on the toolbar.
    You see the Delta window, with both the Database 1 and Database 2 fields populated with the file name of the database you have open. Main Window
    You can compare two different databases or compare one database with itself.

    note

    If you start Delta without a database open, Delta starts with the databases last compared in the Database 1 and Database 2 File name fields. However, if you have not used Delta before, the program starts with both database fields blank.

  3. In the Delta window, select the database whose design elements you want to compare, if not already selected.

  4. In the Options area, select Compare Design.
  5. Click Compare. You see the following message. Self-Compare
  6. Click Yes.
    Delta's main window opens when the Delta comparison process is complete. The design of the databases is represented hierarchically.
  7. Uncheck Hide Identical Objects.
    The windows in the two panes are synchronized, so that as you scroll through one, the other scrolls with it. The display always starts with all headings collapsed. To expand/collapse the list of elements, click the plus or minus sign beside a heading in either pane. Corresponding elements are always listed side-by-side. Corresponding design elements always have identical names and are of the same type.
    Main Window
    An arrow pointing right indicates that the element exists in Database 2 only. If there is no corresponding element in Database 2 to an element in Database 1, the corresponding line in database 2 is blank. An arrow pointing left indicates that the element exists in Database 1 only.
    To drill down to successively lower levels of detail, continue clicking plus signs. To expand everything, press the asterisk key on the numeric keypad.