The purpose of file
helpers is to give you the ability to select the desired application that should
be used to open the specified types of files when the "Compare" function is
chosen from the Analyze Tab Panel. This is useful when you wish to open the
files in an application other than the file's default application, or when the
file has no default application. If you wish to use the file's default application
then no file helper entry needs to be created.
The following is the logic that is used to determine which application will
be launched when the "Compare" function is chosen:
-- First the file helper database is scanned for a helper associated with the file's extension.
-- If no helper is found then the file helper database is scanned again. This time it is scanned for a helper associated with the file's OS type.
-- If no helper is found then an attempt is made to determine the default application that is used to open the files (i.e. The application that would launch if the file were to be double- clicked on in Finder).
-- If no default application is found then an alert is sounded and the file will not be opened. In this case the user must set up a File Helper in order to use the "Compare" function on the file.
Below is an explanation of each property of the Helper Preferences window:
Application: This is a read-only field that displays the complete path of the application selected. This area surrounding this field is also a drop-zone allowing you to drag an application to the area rather than using the "Browse..." button. The selected application's icon and name will appear in the "Application:" column of the File Helpers list.
Browse: This will open the Open File dialog and allow you to select the desired application that should be used to compare the specified type of files.
Filename Extension: This is used to specify the filename extension that a file must have in order for the specified application to be used when opening the file. The filename extension is not case-sensitive. The chosen filename extension will also be displayed in the "Extension:" column of the File Helpers list.
OS Type Code field: This is used to specify the OS type that a file must have in order for the specified application to be used when opening the file. The OS type is case- sensitive and must be 4 characters long. The chosen OS type code will also be displayed in the "OS Type:" column of the File Helpers list.
Note: The area surrounding the "Filename Extension" and "OS Type Code" fields is a drop-zone for drag operations. This allows you to drag a file to the area, drop it, and have these fields automatically populated with the information that is derived from the file.