How to compare JARs in Araxis Merge?

Question

I'm using Araxis Merge to try and compare two Java archive files. I've done it in Beyond Compare but have recently switched to a Mac. Right now Araxis treats the JARs like files and I just see a lot of binary/hex stuff. I'd like to see which classes have differences and to treat the JAR like a folder. Any ideas?

Answer 1

A JAR file is basically a zip file with a different extension.
Araxis merge can't compare the content inside a zip file.

Answer 2

Decompress the contents of the archive to folders, and diff the folders

Answer 3

A JAR file is basically a ZIP file with a different extension. Araxis Merge can't compare the content inside a ZIP file.

As a workaround, decompress the contents of the archive to folders. Then diff the folders.