The Create Specification Differences Report wizard is displayed when you click Report or the Tools, Report Difference menu. Use this wizard to create a report of the differences between versions of a specification. You can compare specifications from the Version Bank by version label.

This report is in XML format and is stored either in the Developer working directory (the default location) or in a location that you specify. You can then view and print this report using your Internet browser, or manipulate it further as an XML file. For example, you can write other applications that use your reports, or convert your reports to other output types.

Version Labels Selection

In the Version Labels Selection, select the version labels that you want to compare:

First Label

Select the first version label from the drop-down list that you want to take part in the comparison on which the report is based.

Second Label

Select the second version label from the drop-down list that you want to take part in the comparison on which the report is based.

Output Options

In the Output Options, select whether you want the report to contain all sections of the versions being compared, or only the sections that are different:

All Sections

Select this radio button if you want the report to contain all sections of the specifications being compared, including any sections with no differences.

Sections with Differences

Select this radio button if you want the report to contain only the sections of the specifications that are different.

The default selection for the Output group is All Sections.

Format Options

In the Format group, select the display format you require from one of the predefined options available, or by specifying a custom style sheet.

The predefined options use Developer’s ReportDiffs.xsl and ReportDiffsShort.xsl style sheets to translate the XML report into HTML so that you can view it using your Internet browser.

The ReportDiffs.xsl style sheet formats differences reports to show all records and logic and/or text lines in the sections of the specifications being compared, even if no differences exist. The ReportDiffsShort.xsl style sheet formats differences reports to show only records and logic and/or text lines in the sections of the specifications being compared that contain differences.

You can also specify the use of your own custom XSL style sheet. This could be used to translate the XML report to a different output format.

Select from the display formats available.

Show All Records and Logic/Text Lines

Select this radio button to format the report to show all records and logic and/or text lines in the sections of the specifications being compared, even if no differences exist.

This option uses a predefined XSL style sheet (ReportDiffs.xsl) to determine the format of the report.

Show Only Records and Logic/Text Lines with Differences

Select this radio button to format the report to show only records and logic and/or text lines in the sections of the specifications being compared that contain differences.

This option uses a predefined XSL style sheet (ReportDiffsShort.xsl) to determine the format of the report.

Use a Custom Stylesheet

Select this radio button to use your own XSL style sheet to format the report. Specify the file name and full or relative path of the custom style sheet in the text box, or locate it using the Browse button.

The default selection is Show All Records and Logic/Text Lines.

Report File Name

In the Report File Name, specify the name and location of the report in the text box, or locate it using the Browse button. The default location of the report is in the Developer working directory.

You can also select the View Report check box to open the report for viewing, upon completion of the wizard. The report is displayed using the application associated with the .xml extension, this is generally your Internet browser.