[PATCH] extdiff: single file diffs from the wc without making a copy

[Peter Williams]

Brad Schick wrote:
> Peter Williams wrote:
>> Brad Schick wrote:
>>   
>>> Extdiff was always making a temporary directory and copying files even
>>> when not required. This change makes extdiff avoid the copy when diffing
>>> a single file that lives in the wc... 
>>>     
>> It would be nice if extdiff used symbolic links instead of copy for wc 
>> files when multiple files are being viewed.  This would allow the above 
>> mentioned editing in the multi file case as well.
>>
>>   
> This was just mentioned on the main list as well. Seems like a good
> idea, but portability might be difficult.

What about different behaviour for different systems?  Or make it an 
option and say that the option is not available on Windows?

> ntfs supports hard-links, but
> they aren't very well exposed and not available through python (as far
> as I can tell).

Hard links wouldn't work would they?  AFAIK as soon as you modify a hard 
linked file the link is broken and a copy is made.

Peter
-- 
Peter Williams                                   pwil3058 at bigpond.net.au

"Learning, n. The kind of ignorance distinguishing the studious."
  -- Ambrose Bierce