Comparing and Merging Linux Files - Comparing and Merging Files

Comparing and Merging Files

This manual is for GNU Diffutils (version 2.8.1, 5 April 2002), and documents the GNU diff, diff3, sdiff, and cmp commands for showing the differences between files and the GNU patch command for using their output to update files.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being "A GNU Manual," and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License."
(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: "You have freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development."

Overview: Preliminary information.
Comparison: What file comparison means.
Output Formats: Formats for two-way difference reports.
Incomplete Lines: Lines that lack trailing newlines.
Comparing Directories: Comparing files and directories.
Adjusting Output: Making diff output prettier.
diff Performance: Making diff smarter or faster.
Comparing Three Files: Formats for three-way difference reports.
diff3 Merging: Merging from a common ancestor.
Interactive Merging: Interactive merging with sdiff.
Merging with patch: Using patch to change old files into new ones.
Making Patches: Tips for making and using patch distributions.
Invoking cmp: Compare two files byte by byte.
Invoking diff: Compare two files line by line.
Invoking diff3: Compare three files line by line.
Invoking patch: Apply a diff file to an original.
Invoking sdiff: Side-by-side merge of file differences.
Standards conformance: Conformance to the POSIX standard.
Projects: If you've found a bug or other shortcoming.
Copying This Manual: How to make copies of this manual.
Index: Index.