max_diff_bytes should be honored even if only one file has changed

[maz <mzizka@…>]

As mentioned in r2968, the max_diff_bytes rule is ignored if only one file has changed; the differences are then shown inline. This means that if we have lots of changes in one file only (such as often happens here with huge XML files saved by our software), they are shown directly in the main changeset view.

In find this problematic as I often like to review recent changes by using the "previous changeset" and "next changeset" links in the main changeset view. When encountering a change in one of our huge files, I sometimes have to wait several minutes as the browser tries to display the enormous diff. I still want the ability to view minor changes inline, but I want the max_diff_bytes rule to be followed regardless of the number of files that have changed (even just one). Of course, the big diffs should still be accessible through a link.

I will try to create a patch for this when time allows.

[Christian Boos]

I understand the reasoning, but shouldn't there be way to force that changeset to be viewed?

[maz <mzizka@…>]

Replying to cboos:

I understand the reasoning, but shouldn't there be way to force that changeset to be viewed?

Indeed, I will take this into consideration.

A ​message from mrenzmann on trac-users also drew my attention. ​His patch allows removal of diff output for certain file types (based on a pattern). This would also be a nice feature, although here again there should still be a way to "force" diff view.

[VitalieL]

I think that trac also need max_diff_file_size, because it takes a lot of memory to process big files:

about 700Mb to generate diff for 30Mb file, even diff result is small < 2Mb.

Big files can be skipped with message in html diff: file too large, skipped.

It can be useful to check ​trac-users discussion .

[VitalieL]

patch for max_diff_file_size

[Christian Boos]

This feature can be seen as an additional way to keep the memory usage of Trac under control, so I'm scheduling it for 0.11-stable.

[Christian Boos]

#7035 closed as duplicate (timeout while rendering big changesets).

[Christian Boos]

patch-max_diff_file_size.diff​ probably no longer applies.