Before you learn about binary compare utilities, you first need to know about binary files.
These are computer files that have the extension.
bin.
They contain different types of data that are encoded in binary structure for the storage and the processing of the files.
For instance, the document files contain formatted text.
On the other hand, the binary files come with part that can be translated into text binary files, which may have textual data with no formatting information.
Thus, they are called the plain text files.
However, these files are not seen as similar with the binary files because the latter are more than just plain text.
Now, when it comes to the binary compare utilizes, you can either get them for free or you can purchase those that have additional features.
There are many tools that you can use for text comparison and each of them has different characteristics.
Most of them will allow you to compare two binary files and then you will have the results in a few seconds.
The lines that have different characters or words or those that have been modified will be color coded.
There are even some that have the ability to automatically merge two different files so that you do not have to perform the activity yourself.
The auto merge facility can handle changes that do not have conflicting alterations between the two files.
Of course, you can define your preferences about what you want the tool to look for in the differences or those that you would like to ignore.
For instance, you would like the utility to pay no attention to the line endings as well as the white spaces.
Most of the tools allow you to select the right or appropriate encoding of the characters on the files.
Before you choose the program that you will be using, ensure that you have checked that it is compatible with the operating system that you are running.
This is because there are some that are limited to Windows, Mac, Linux or Solaris.
You can either run the application with other programs or use it as a standalone application.
One of the best things about the tools that you can download today is that they can differentiate not only binary files but also other types of files even formatted ones.
Aside from that, there are some that have the ability to compare not only two files but three or more binary files.
Now, there are many reasons as to hwy you should use the binary compare utilities.
First is that if you are always creating binary files and you need to ensure that the modifications that occurred are correct.
Professionals like you can use the help that can be acquired through these pieces of software.
Web developers and software engineers can benefit from these tools as well.
This is because they can compare, comprehend and combine different binary files quickly and accurately whether you are differentiating individual files or an entire source code.
The software can be used easily because of their simple interface.