Merging Files with XLATE

The database programs on the HP Palmtop have a command, namely MENU, File Merge that will let you merge two files of the same type and structure.

If you've ever used this feature you realize that "Merge" should have been called "Combine." For example, if you merge your 1000 item Phonebook file with that of your partner who also has 1000 entries, you'll wind up with a Phonebook file having 2000 entries even though 800 of them are identical.

On the other hand, if you use the CPACK's XLATE program to merge the same two files you would wind up with a Phonebook having 800 common entries plus your 200 unique entries and the 200 unique entries from your partner's Phonebook.

XLATE's Merge operation let's you specify whether you want to perform the process interactively by telling the program to stop each time it detects an item that has some fields that are the same and some that are different. You can also perform the process quickly and tell the program to give either your file or your partner's file priority in resolving any differences. Later you can look at a log of conflicts and resolve any differences that remain.

The XLATE/Merge application will also let you Synchronize two Database, Phone Book, Quicken or Appointment Book files. This means that both you and your partner would wind up with identical PhoneBook files.

I have not used the Synchronize option since it's just as easy to merge two files into one and then use Filer's Copy command to make a duplicate of the master file.