Systems and methods for the comparison of selected text
Systems and methods are disclosed for comparing selections of text to show differences between the two selections. The text may be selected from the same source or from two different sources. In one implementation, a system receives a first selection of text for comparison and places the selection in a first buffer. The system receives a second selection of text for comparison and places the second selection in a second buffer. The system compares the first buffer and the second buffer to determine differences and displays the differences. In some embodiments, the system may allow a user to choose two buffers from among a plurality of buffers for comparison.
1. A computer-implemented method for comparing selections of text comprising:
receiving a first selection of text from within an electronic file displayed in a first interface based on detected user input identifying a beginning portion of text and an ending portion of text to create the first selection of text,
receiving a second selection of text from one of the electronic file displayed in the first interface or a second electronic file displayed in a second interface, based on detected user input identifying a beginning portion of text and an ending portion of text to create the second selection of text,
storing, separately from the electronic file and the second electronic file, each of the first and second selections of text in a temporary memory,
comparing the content of the first selection of text with the content of the second selection of text, and
generating a third interface, wherein the third interface displays a comparison output indicating textual differences between the content of the first selection of text and the content of the second selection of text.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, within an interface different from the first interface or the second interface, a selectable representation of a comparison function, and
receiving a request to perform a comparison of the content of the first selection of text with the content of the second selection of text.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparison output includes an indication that a portion of text was deleted when the portion of text is included in the first selection of text and the portion of text is not included in the second selection of text.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparison output includes an indication that a portion of text was inserted when the portion of text is not included in the first selection of text and the portion of text is included in the second selection of text.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first selection of text and the second selection of text are from a single electronic file.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first selection of text is from an electronic file of a first type and the second selection of text is from an electronic file of a second type that differs from the first type.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by a processor located remotely from a memory storing the electronic file.