Probably the easiest way to compare two files is to use the diff command. The output will show you the differences between the two files. The < and > signs indicate whether the extra lines are in the first (<) or second (>) file provided as arguments.
How do I compare two files in Linux?
Comparing files (diff command)
- To compare two files, type the following: diff chap1.bak chap1. This displays the differences between the chap1. …
- To compare two files while ignoring differences in the amount of white space, type the following: diff -w prog.c.bak prog.c.
How can I find the difference between two files?
diff stands for difference. This command is used to display the differences in the files by comparing the files line by line. Unlike its fellow members, cmp and comm, it tells us which lines in one file have is to be changed to make the two files identical.
What does 2 mean in Linux?
38. File descriptor 2 represents standard error. (other special file descriptors include 0 for standard input and 1 for standard output). 2> /dev/null means to redirect standard error to /dev/null . /dev/null is a special device that discards everything that is written to it.
How do I compare two files in UNIX?
There are 3 basic commands to compare files in unix:
- cmp : This command is used to compare two files byte by byte and as any mismatch occurs,it echoes it on the screen. if no mismatch occurs i gives no response. …
- comm : This command is used to find out the records available in one but not in another.
- diff.
How do I compare two files in Windows?
On the File menu, click Compare Files. In the Select First File dialog box, locate and then click a file name for the first file in the comparison, and then click Open. In the Select Second File dialog box, locate and then click a file name for the second file in the comparison, and then click Open.
What does 2 mean in bash?
2 refers to the second file descriptor of the process, i.e. stderr . > means redirection. &1 means the target of the redirection should be the same location as the first file descriptor, i.e. stdout .