Why Won't Clearcase Explorer Diff My XML Files?

Question

I have a situation in Clearcase where I right click to find checkouts and then right click any xml. When I choose "Compare with previous versions", it just pops up with an "XML Diff Merge - Comparing" window that stays minimized in my taskbar.

Strangely enough, it doesn't have this problem with Java files, just the XML ones. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Answer 1

We have had the same problem. How to fix it: Open regedit.exe and delete the whole branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Atria\ClearCase\CurrentVersion\XML Diff Merge.

Restart ClearCase Explorer.

The previosly deleted regestry key/branch will be re-create with default values.

Then the merge window is visible again.

Answer 2

XML files are managed by a different type manager.
That explains the difference between a text file (.java) and an xml one.

Depending on the size, structure or encoding, the ClearCase xml diff tool can hang (or crash)

As detailed in "Any way to use a custom diff tool with cleartool/clearcase?", the diff tool for xml file (xmldiffmrg) is declared (and can be changed in) "C:\program files\rational\ClearCase\lib\mgrs\map"

text_file_delta   compare          ..\..\bin\cleardiff.exe
text_file_delta   xcompare         ..\..\bin\cleardiffmrg.exe
_xml2             compare          ..\..\bin\xmldiff.exe
_xml2             xcompare         ..\..\bin\xmldiffmrg.exe

In your case, I suspect the diff works, the windows open, but outside of the screen:

Check your registry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Atria\ClearCase\CurrentVersion\: you could find a section dedicated to cleardiff, with screen coordinates that you would then be able to reset.

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More simply, the OP Phil Cote comments:

You were right that this was showing up outside the window.
The regedit turned out to be unnecessary.
I did a right-click "move" which made cross arrows appear. Then I hit an arrow key and the window just popped up right at my mouse cursor.
I'm guessing it's one of those silly beginner windows tricks I had never known about til now.

You can see that process detailed in "Windows 7 rightclick menu from toolbar like ALT-SPACE?"