An apparatus and method is disclosed that configures two files for more rapid comparison by removing blank spaces from the code of all of the lines in each of the files to be compared and also by attaching a control to the beginning of each line of code in each of the two sources prior to be compared. After blank spaces are removed and the controls attached, the two files are compared to determine additions, deletions and changes. The program continues to compare the strings of identical length until all of the strings have been compared. By comparing only strings of identical length, the program is able to compare two sources in substantially less time than by using conventional means of comparison.