Beyond Compare for Object Instances

Question

Does anyone know of a tool or library in .net that can be used to compare object properties and sub-objects like beyond compare does for text files? What I am looking for is a way to show two instances of the same type and show colored coded differences between them and allow the user to copy values between the objects.

Answer 1

Just an idea: serialize your objects into XML and run a WinDiff or TortoiseSVN built-in diff-viewer.

1. The export can be done (with [Serializalbe] objects) with XmlSerializer or DataContractSerializer:

   Person p1 = new Person("Zighetti", "Barbara", 101);
   FileStream writer = new FileStream(fileName, FileMode.Create);
   DataContractSerializer ser = new DataContractSerializer(typeof(Person));
   ser.WriteObject(writer, p1);
   writer.Close();
   

2. Repeat this step for p2 (instance of Person).

3. Drop your xmls into WinDiff or your favorite diff viewer.

Special XML diff tools

• XML diff online
• Using the XML Diff and Patch Tool in Your Applications
• XMLDiff