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Depeche View: search multiple text files simultaneously

April 21, 2011 By 8 Comments

Depeche View is a free program that can search and edit multiple text files simultaneously. It allows users to jump to instances of a search string that may exist across a number of different files, provided they are placed in the same folder. It will search all text files in a folder, including log files, source code, database extracts, etc. It is extremely fast, and can load up to 1000 files in memory simultaneously and display them continuously in a single window.

But Depeche View offers a number of features that enhance the user experience, such as quick creation of bookmarks and/or “remark lines”, multi-pane view (for viewing the text simultaneously from different vantage points), appending new text from the clipboard or even other files or folders, and a host of quick shortcuts that make power-searching your document(s) a breeze. This program is free for personal, non-commercial use.

PROS: here’s what I like about this software:

  • It does an excellent job: it’s fast and quite powerful. Hundreds of files are loaded almost instantly.
  • Has lots of character: by which I mean the user interface has a certain appeal to it, despite the fact that it needs some getting used to. Drag and drop to load files/folders.
  • Offers a nice set of features: for example search-as-you-type, multi-pane-views, quick bookmarking, quick searching for the highlighted word if necessary, optionally highlighting tabs and spaces using different colors, etc. Hotkey/keyboard aficionados will be pleased.
  • Appending content: from different sources/folders, is possible.
  • Advanced search options: such as case sensitivity, jump to next/back, quick filtering of found matches, etc.
  • Text Editing: double click on a word and start editing.
  • Portable: a single executable that can moreover be used from the command line.

CONS: here’s what can be improved

  • The user interface: a bit of a contradiction, perhaps, to what I said above. However, the interface could be made visually more user friendly and/or appealing; softer, better visuals perhaps, and less of the text salad.
  • Depeche View Screenshot2A few annoying (and most likely unnecessary) handicaps: of the free version.for example drag and drop 150 files max from explorer (?), text editing available up to 30 files (?). See the screenshot to the right for an overview of these.

Differences between the free and paid versions: to quote the author “in a nutshell, the freeware version is a search tool, whereas [the paid version] is a lightweight IDE replacement, allowing also to edit text and integrate a compiler”.

The verdict: if you are looking for a program that can bring a bit of Google to files on your machine, by all means check this one out. You will not be disappointed; Depeche View is a powerful little tool that does the job well.

The version, however, may be handicapped in a way that probably will not affect 95% of users, but might annoy power users (see the cons section above).

Version Tested: 1.4.6

Compatibility: WinAll

Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 1996K).


 
 
 
Samer Kurdi

Samer Kurdi

Has been reviewing software since 2006 when he started Freewaregenius.com
Samer Kurdi

@freewaregenius

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April 21, 2011
Samer Kurdi
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  • Kent Dyer

    Depeche View is pretty nice as is Swiss File Knife..

    However, I had a need to search Zip files.. This works pretty slick for that..

    http://stahlworks.com/dev/index.php?tool=zzfind

    Thanks,

    Kent

  • http://stahlworks.com/dev/ Vincent Stahl

    Thanks!

    About the handicaps: maybe I should point out more clearly
    that functions like text editing or drag and drop loading
    rather belong to the commercial version.

    They can be used in the Base version only until a certain
    number of files have been loaded, in total. The purpose
    of this is to allow any user to test that feature,
    and to make it available for free to small projects.
    But it is not available for power users with large projects.

    For example: you run the tool, load 29 files.
    -> text editing is possible.

    Then you append another 5 files, so you have 34 in total.
    -> text editing is switched off.

    This applies to all other functions listed in the About dialog,
    e.g. Drag and Drop is switched off once 150 or more files
    are already loaded into memory.

    So maybe it makes sense not to mention text editing or
    Drag and Drop at all, so people won’t expect too much
    from the freeware version.

    And a typo: the download size is 1996 K, not 194 K.

    Thanks again, and I will do my best to clean up
    the user interface in future versions.

    With best regards,
    Vince

    • Samer

      @ Vincent: I appreciate your feedback, and thanks for a great program. Also, typo fixed!

  • http://MCHAL.110mb.com MCHAL

    Well, LookDisk seems to be a fine option as well. It also does searches inside archives.

    Available here: http://www.fxsearch.com/ldw_eng/

  • Isaac

    typo: search string that may *exit*

  • whitie

    This program is actually a real work of art. Unique, extremely efficient and ergonomic for browsing otherwise impenetrable collections of source files. At first glance it looks primitive because of the lack of dashboard colouring, but after a little use it is clear, slick and maximises screenspace. But still, some work on dash (background aesthetic/structure) would help it sell, i think. Syntax is highlighted quite nicely for my taste for working on light background, but some alternative themes -dark back, less pastel, would also boost its attractiveness.

    I used this program last year delving into /learning open source c++ code, and would have gotten totally hooked if i hadnt started bumping into the limitations. There are basically limitations on the free version and the linguistic ‘freeware/base/extended edition” casting doesnt really help introduce them. The programs quality isnt matched by its marketing – but that is a priceless occurence in this day and age! Its a diamond somewhat hidden in a quirky/personal themed site. Maybe it should have its own more generically themed site.

    Someday, when i get payed i will buy the extended version and let myself get hooked, especially if it is still ridiculously underpriced at $30 dollars. If i get to earning a proper living from coding, id pay ten times as much for this tool. Release it with more extension in the free version, and every script kiddie in the world will pass it around. Then charge proper bucks for pro and commercial licences.

    • Samer

      @ Whitie: I agree completely. Well said.

      @ Isaac: thanks for pointing out the typo. Fixed.

  • whitie

    I commented impulsively, and then re-read to see I did echo your review Samer!
    I used depecheview a bit more in the meanwhile and marvelled at its automatic opening of tar.gz and zip files. (then dissassociated zips cause that’s a bit much)
    Also found some good configurables in dview-config.
    Still, bumped into too much limitations or ‘disabled pro version shortcuts’ ;p .