ReSharper 2024.3 Help

Compare assemblies, NuGet packages, and more

ReSharper allows you to compare two assemblies, NuGet packages, archives, or folders. Each comparison is presented as a top-level node in the dedicated Assembly Diff tool window; you can expand this node and see differences in the assembly structure right away, and in addition to that, you can double-click types, members, and other elements to see a text-based comparison in the editor.

Initiate comparison

  • Do one of the following:

    • Select ReSharper | Tools | Compare Assemblies... from the main menu.

    • Right-click an assembly, a NuGet package, or a folder in the Assembly Explorer, then choose Compare With.

    • If the Assembly Diff window is already open, click Compare on its toolbar to initiate a new comparison.

  • In the dialog that opens, select one of the tabs corresponding to the compared items kind, pick files or folders for comparison, and click OK.

    ReSharper: Select items for comparison dialog
  • The comparison will appear as a new top-level node in the Assembly Diff tool window.

  • Use the toolbar selector to choose one of the diff modes:

    • Show all — all items within both entities will be displayed.

    • Show only differences — only items with differences and items that are missing in one of the entities will be shown. All identical items will be hidden.

    • Show only signature differences — only members with different signatures are shown. Members with the same signatures (bodies are ignored) as well as all identical items will be hidden.

    • Show only public API differences — only public members with different signatures are shown. Public members with the same signatures (bodies are ignored), all non-public symbols, as well as identical items will be hidden.

ReSharper: Assembly comparison node in the Assembly Diff tool window

Elements within the comparison node (types, members, files) are highlighted in different colors with the following meanings:

  • Green — the element is present in the second assembly and absent in the first assembly.

  • Red — the element is present in the first assembly and absent in the second assembly.

  • Violet — the element is present in both assemblies, and it has differences.

When you double-click an element with differences, the comparison opens in the diff window.

To finish comparing assemblies, select the comparison node and press Delete or right-click it and choose Remove Item from List.

Last modified: 21 March 2024