--- engines: - path: /opt/quarto/share/extension-subtrees/julia-engine/\_extensions/julia-engine/julia-engine.js title: "PRISM Documentation: Compare Page" toc-title: Table of contents --- [Back to Help](../help/) ## Getting Started ![PRISM Compare Page](./help-images/compare_page.png) The **Compare page** is PRISM's powerful tool for side-by-side analysis of package versions across different registries and editions. This page allows you to compare package availability, version differences, and create detailed comparison tables for analysis and reporting. > **NOTE:** The table starts empty - this is normal! Add editions or > registries to begin comparing them. **Quick Actions**: 1. **📊 Select comparison mode** - Choose to compare by **editions** or **registries** 2. **🏷️ Add editions/registries** - Use the dropdown to select what editions or registries to compare 3. **🔍 Show differences only** - Use the Diff button to highlight version conflicts 4. **📤 Export results** - Download comparison data as CSV ## Understanding Comparison Modes ![PRISM Compare radio buttons](./help-images/compare_editions_registries_radio.png) PRISM offers two distinct comparison modes: ### Compare by Editions **Default mode** - Compare specific registry editions: - **Edition-specific** - Compare exact editions (e.g., "stratus 2025-01-15" and "stratus 2025-02-22" and "ghqc-eco v2") - **Version precision** - See exact package versions available in each edition - **URL copying** - Copy repository URLs directly from column headers > **💡 Best For**: Comparing updates between editions, migration > planning, reproducible environment analysis ### Compare by Registries **Registry-wide mode** - Compare entire package ecosystems: - **Comprehensive view** - Shows all packages across entire registries - **Latest versions** - Displays most current packages from each registry - **Ecosystem comparison** - Compare different package sources (CRAN, Bioconductor, etc.) - **Broader analysis** - Understand registry-level differences > **💡 Best For**: Understanding registry differences, ecosystem > analysis, comprehensive package audits ## Selection Interface ### Edition/Registry Dropdown ![PRISM Compare dropdown](./help-images/compare_editions_dropdown.png) The main selection dropdown is your primary tool for building comparisons: #### Visual Organization - **Server identification** - Shows source server URL at the top - **Registry grouping** - Registries organized with color-coded identifiers - **Edition counts** - Number of available editions shown for each registry - **Expandable sections** - Click registry names to show/hide editions #### Selection Process 1. **Click dropdown** - Opens the full selection interface 2. **Expand registries (Edition-specific comparison only)** - Click registry names to see available editions 3. **Select items** - Click specific editions or registries to add them 4. **Visual feedback** - Selected items appear as colored chips in the dropdown ### Selected Items Display ![PRISM Compare edition selection](./help-images/compare_editions_selected.png) Once you make selections: - **Color-coded chips** - Each selection gets a unique color for easy identification - **Clear individual items** - Click the 'X' on any chip to remove it - **Clear all** - Use the clear button to remove all selections at once - **Overflow handling** - Long lists scroll within the dropdown area ## Comparison Table ### Table Structure ![PRISM Compare edition selection](./help-images/compare_editions_diff.png) The comparison table dynamically builds as you add selections: #### Default Columns - **Package Name** - Fixed left column showing all available packages - **Dynamic columns** - One column for each selected edition/registry - **Version data** - Shows package versions available in each selection #### Interactive Features - **Sortable columns** - Click headers to sort by package name or version data - **Filterable content** - Use column filters to find specific packages - **Resizable columns** - Drag column borders to adjust width - **Fixed package names** - Package name column stays visible when scrolling ### Column Headers Each comparison column provides additional functionality: #### Edition Columns ![PRISM Compare edition columns](./help-images/compare_edition_header.png) - **Edition name** - Clear identification of the edition being compared - **Copy URL button** - Direct link copying for repository URLs #### Registry Columns ![PRISM Compare registry columns](./help-images/compare_registry_header.png) - **Registry name** - Shows the registry being compared - **Edition list** - Hover/click to see which editions are included, and filter to see only packages from a specific edition ## Advanced Features ### Diff Mode ![PRISM Diff button](./help-images/diff_button.png) ![PRISM Compare diff mode](./help-images/compare_editions_diff.png) The Diff functionality helps identify package version conflicts: #### How Diff Works 1. **Enable Diff** - Click the "Diff" button (requires 2+ columns) 2. **Filter view** - Table shows only packages with different versions 3. **Visual indicator** - Blue banner shows "Showing only `x` packages with different versions" 4. **Toggle back** - Click "Show All" to return to full view #### When to Use Diff - **Version conflicts** - Identify packages with different versions across selections - **Migration planning** - See what will change when switching between editions - **Compatibility analysis** - Find potential conflicts before deployment - **Focused analysis** - Reduce noise when looking for specific differences ### CSV Export ![PRISM Compare export CSV button](./help-images/export_csv_button.png) Export your comparison data for external analysis: #### Export Features - **Complete data** - Exports all visible table data - **Headers included** - Column names preserved in export - **CSV format** - Compatible with Excel, R, Python, and other tools - **Filename** - Automatically named "compare_editions_export.csv" #### Export Process ![PRISM Compare export CSV file](./help-images/editions_csv_export.png) 1. **Build comparison** - Add editions/registries to compare 2. **Apply filters** - Use diff mode or column filters if desired 3. **Click Export CSV** - Button becomes active when data is available 4. **Download file** - CSV downloads automatically to your device ## Common Workflows ### Comparing Editions 1. **Select "editions" mode** - Use the radio button to set comparison type 2. **Choose time periods** - Select editions from different dates 3. **Add to comparison** - Click editions to add them as columns 4. **Enable Diff mode** - Show only packages with version differences 5. **Export results** - Download CSV for further analysis ### Registry Ecosystem Analysis 1. **Switch to "registries" mode** - Use radio button to change comparison type 2. **Select registries** - Click different registry names to compare 3. **Review coverage** - See which packages are available in each registry 4. **Identify gaps** - Use Diff mode to find registry-specific packages 5. **Document findings** - Export data for reporting ### Migration Planning 1. **Start with current edition** - Add your current package source 2. **Add target edition** - Select the edition you want to migrate to 3. **Show differences only** - Use Diff button to focus on changes 4. **Analyze conflicts** - Review packages with different versions 5. **Plan updates** - Export list for migration planning ### Reproducibility Validation 1. **Select specific editions** - Choose exact editions for package version validation 2. **Compare versions** - Verify package versions match across environments 3. **Document state** - Export current comparison for records 4. **Share results** - Use CSV export for team collaboration ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues **Dropdown not opening?** - Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser - Try refreshing the page if dropdown seems unresponsive - Check that you're clicking the main dropdown area **No data in comparison table?** - Verify you've selected at least one edition or registry - Check that your selections contain package data - Try switching between editions and registries modes **Diff button disabled?** - You need at least 2 columns to use Diff mode - Add more editions or registries to enable comparison - Check that your selections have overlapping packages **CSV export not working?** - Ensure you have data in the comparison table - Check that JavaScript is enabled - Try a different browser if download fails **Column headers not showing properly?** - Try resizing your browser window - Refresh the page to reset table layout - Check browser zoom level (100% recommended) [Back to Help](../help/)