diff

Compare files line by line.

$ diff --color

First fileSecond file

Unified format (-u)Context format (-c)Ignore case (-i)Ignore whitespace (-w)Recursive (-r)Side by side (-y)

Ignore space changes (-b)Treat absent as empty (-N)Brief output (-q)Report identical files (-s)

Examples

# Unified diff
diff -u file1.txt file2.txt

# Recursive diff
diff -r dir1 dir2

# Ignore whitespace
diff -w file1.txt file2.txt

# Brief check
diff -q file1.txt file2.txt

# Side by side
diff -y file1.txt file2.txt

CMD Generator lets you build ready-to-paste terminal commands by selecting options — no memorizing flags needed. Contact us.