delta max

Overview of DeltaMAX 1.0

DeltaMAX is an advanced binary differencing engine library for Windows. It allows you to create and apply binary difference files (”patch files”) from your applications. It is the same binary differencing engine used in Visual Patch.

Binary differencing is the process of analyzing two files and then compactly representing the differences or “delta” between them. Also known as “delta compression,” binary differencing is able to represent the data that differs between two files in the most compact way possible.

The most common application of binary differencing is in creating software patches. This involves analyzing two versions of a file in order to extract only the data that has changed from one version to the other. The results of this analysis can then be used to recreate the newer version from any file that exactly matches the original. By only containing the differences, such a patch file can be very small.

Of course, there are many other uses for binary differencing beyond deploying software updates. Because so little data needs to be transmitted, delta compression makes it possible to distribute changes to large data files as efficiently possible.

Key Features

• Very fast encoding. DeltaMAX is able to perform multiple passes in less time than it takes other tools to perform a single pass.
• Fast decoding. DeltaMAX uses efficient file I/O buffering in order to apply differences quickly.
• Low memory requirements for decoding. DeltaMAX requires only minimal amounts of memory for decoding, and is able to apply differences in low memory situations.
• Compact encoding format. DeltaMAX uses a custom encoding scheme that is very efficient.
• Unique multi-pass optimization. DeltaMAX can perform multiple encoding passes in order to experimentally achieve the best results. This is especially important because the optimal settings can vary according to the unique internal structure of each individual file.
• Works with all file types. DeltaMAX can create differences for all kinds of files (e.g. software executables, word documents, satellite images, medical databases, ocean maps, game data files…)
• Support for large files. DeltaMAX is exceptional in its ability to handle very large files (up to 2GB) and to encode these large files very quickly.
• Developed for Windows. DeltaMAX was developed specifically for the Windows platform, and does not sacrifice performance to achieve platform independence.

Benefits of Binary Differencing

Binary differencing is the process of analyzing two files and then compactly representing the differences or “delta” between them. Also known as “delta compression,” binary differencing is able to represent the data that differs between two files in the most compact way possible.

This technology is most commonly used in software updating and patch management applications, however it is also ideal for use in backup software, server synchronization, data transmission or wherever the environment calls for reduced storage space and lower bandwidth usage.

Having less data to transmit means that file changes can be sent and received faster, which means less time is spent waiting for updates, improving productivity and making “background” updates possible.

In addition to reduced file sizes, binary differenced files are very secure. Difference files contain only the byte level differences between the two source files. Transmitting only tiny portions of a file in a format that can’t be used without the original greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized use.

Competitive Position

Some binary differencing libraries claim to include large-file support, but they process large files so slowly that it really isn’t feasible to use them for that purpose. DeltaMAX uses a unique binary differencing algorithm that was developed to process very large files as quickly as possible. It does this while also achieving the best compression performance possible on all file sizes, large and small.

For example, in benchmark testing DeltaMAX was able to create a patch for a 1.2 GB data file in under 3 minutes, whereas the nearest competitor we tested required more than 70 minutes to process the data on the same system. Some of the competing libraries we tested were not even able to process such a large file, and either failed completely or were still processing after more than 24 hours.

Remarkably, DeltaMAX achieves its speed without sacrificing performance, creating difference files that compare favorably in size to difference files created by other tools. In fact, the speed of DeltaMAX permits additional size optimizations that are not feasible with other tools. For example, it can perform multiple passes with different settings in order to find the optimal parameters for each particular file-and still manage to do so in less time than competing tools require for a single pass!

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Product Features

DeltaMAX is an advanced binary differencing engine library for Windows. Now you can incorporate state-of-the-art file differencing into your own software applications. DeltaMAX features incredible compression ratios and blazing speed. Compare it to any other delta compression system, and you’ll immediately see the advantage.

DeltaMAX can be easily incorporated into your software using either traditional direct DLL calls or from any language that supports COM (ActiveX) controls. Regardless of the type of data being distributed, like executables, documents, databases, images, game data or videos, DeltaMAX can handle it.

• Binary Differencing Engine. State-of-the-art engine developed specifically for its impressive speed characteristics, especially for gigabyte-sized files. Create smaller patches for larger files faster.

• Easy To Integrate. Includes spport for both direct DLL and COM/ActiveX interfaces. Use it with virtually any Windows development language including C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, Delphi, .NET, Visual Studio and more.

• Incredible Speed. DeltaMAX is able to generate difference files in only seconds, unlike the hours required by some tools.

• Compact Library. Written in 100% hand optimized C++ code, the DeltaMAX DLL is compact and easy to deploy with your software. There are no external dependencies.

• Low Resource Use. Requires considerably less memory than other file differencing systems, while still maintaining an advantage in speed and compression ratio.

• Sample Code. DeltaMAX is easy to incorporate into your application. We include sample code and projects written in Visual C++, Visual Basic, VB.NET and C# .NET to get you started.

• Handles Huge Files. Competing tools can stall out on files as small as 40 MB. DeltaMAX can handle gigabyte sized files with ease Source Code Available – A source code option for the DeltaMAX library is also available separately for projects that require it.

• Fully Compatible.  DeltaMAX is fully compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows, from 95 to Vista. DeltaMAX was designed to work in extremely low memory situations. Where other solutions fail, DeltaMAX excels.

• Data Security.  Unlike complete files, difference files contain only the data that is different between two source files.

• Built-In Optimizations.  Unique multi-pass optimization performs multiple encoding passes in order to achieve the best results possible.

• Fast Decode.  DeltaMAX uses efficient file I/O buffering in order to apply differences quickly.

• Tiny Differences.  Proprietary encoding algorithm creates remarkably compact difference files. Compression ratios can be as dramatic as 99% or more.

• FREE Technical Support.  A free 1 Year web/email support and maintenance plan is included. We’ll answer your questions quickly and efficiently.

• Best Value.  Compare it to other tools and you’ll see that DeltaMAX works better, is backed with fantastic technical support and is priced realistically.

• Proven Record.  Indigo Rose Software development tools are trusted by over 20,000 software developers worldwide for reliability and exceptional technical support.

System Requirements

The DeltaMAX library is a 32-bit Windows DLL. It is compatible with Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista. It is written in C++ (ATL) and requires no additional runtimes or DLLs to be distributed with it.

The DeltaMAX .DLL has both a traditional direct DLL interface compatible with C/C++ as well as a COM interface for use with Visual Basic, Visual Studio, .NET, Delphi and other languages that support COM (ActiveX) interfaces.

In order to create difference files:

• Windows 95/98/ME/NT4(SP6)/2000/XP/Vista
• 128 MB RAM (1 GB RAM recommended)
• 800×600 display resolution
• 20 MB free hard drive space

In order to apply difference files:

• Windows 95/98/ME/NT4(SP6)/2000/XP/Vista
• 32 MB RAM
• 640×480 display resolution
• 10 MB free hard drive space

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DeltaMAX 1.0 Product Brochure

DeltaMAX is an advanced binary differencing engine. It is capable of analyzing two files and storing only the byte level differences between them. What makes DeltaMAX exceptional is its ability to handle very large files (up to 2GB) and to encode files very quickly. The DeltaMAX engine provides significant performance gains over older technology. In our test suite, it was able to delta compress a 120 MB video game texture data file by 99.6% in only 9.05 seconds. In comparison, a competitive technology required over 25 minutes to achieve a compression ratio of only 18.7%. Incorporating the DeltaMAX engine into your software application will give you a distinct competitive advantage.

 Click here to download a printable DeltaMAX 1.0 brochure

 

 

Note: This brochure in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You may need to download and install the Adobe Reader software in order to view it.

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Download a Free 30-Day Trial Version

The best way to decide if DeltaMAX is right for you, is to download the free 30-day trial version. You’ll be able to really “kick the tires” and see what it can do.

To download the free trial version, please enter your information into the fields below. We’ll email you the download instructions within minutes of submitting your request.

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Online User’s Guide

The best way to get started with DeltaMAX is to check out the sample code included with the library. The library is quite easy to use, and seeing it used in a simple application will provide all the guidance that most programmers need.

However, you’ll certainly want to read through the documentation to learn about the available function calls and parameters. We’ve included everything in the download, but we’ve also made the documentation available online in “webhelp” format – should you like to take a peek before installing the software.

Click Here to View the DeltaMAX Documentation