How to Compare Two Files Using diff at Mac Command Line

If you’re a programmer, you might at some point need to compare two similar but different files. Diff tools, which stand for difference, allow you to view the two files side by side and identify the exact changes – whether new lines of code were added, variable names were changed, or lines of code were removed.

Most commonly, diff tools are used to compare different versions of the same code, such as an older version and a newer version. They can also be used to compare your code with someone else’s. Looking to quickly compare two files for differences? The “diff” command on the Mac command line is a great option for users familiar with the terminal. With this command, you can easily compare two files and receive a report highlighting all the differences between them.

The diff command is readily available on Macs, Linux distros, and other Unix operating systems. Windows users have a similar tool called fc for file comparison. For best results with the diff command, it’s recommended to work with plain text files rather than rich text. You can always make a copy of the file and convert it to plain text using the Mac textutil command-line tool or even TextEdit. Below, we’ll outline the steps to compare two files using diff on the Mac command line.

How to Compare Two Files at Mac Command Line Using diff

To start using the diff tool, you’ll need to launch the Terminal application, which can be found in /Applications/Utilities/. Once you have the Terminal open, you’re ready to begin.

Here’s the basic syntax for the diff command:

diff (file input 1) (file input 2)

For example, if you want to compare the files bash.txt and bash2.txt located in the current directory, you can use the following syntax:

diff bash.txt bash2.txt

The -W flag can be useful for plain text files as it makes the diff program display space when comparing files. You can also use the full path to the files for comparison if needed. For instance, to compare a modified host file with another version, you can run:

diff -w /etc/hosts ~/Downloads/BlockEverythingHosts.txt

The output may look something like this:

$ diff -w /etc/hosts ~/Downloads/BlockEverythingHosts.txt

0a1

# time for a break

9a12

> 127.0.0.1 facebook.com

In the output, the less-than and greater-than symbols act as arrows indicating which file the difference comes from, following the order shown in the original command syntax.

Diff is quite powerful, and you can also use it to compare the contents of two directories, which can be useful for checking backups, file changes, or file integrity.

If you prefer a graphical user interface for comparing documents instead of using the command line, there are several options available on macOS. You can use tools like Microsoft Word for comparing two Word documents or Xcode FileMerge for code and syntax comparison. On Windows, the fc command works similarly to the diff command, so running ‘fc file1 file2’ achieves roughly the same comparison.

Do you have any other tips for comparing files using diff? Share them below!

Benefits of Using diff to Compare Two Files at Mac Command Line

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FAQs – How to Use diff to Compare Two Files at Mac Command Line

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[wpsm_accordion_section title=”What is this guide about?”]
This guide provides instructions on how to use diff to compare two files at the Mac command line.
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[wpsm_accordion_section title=”How does this guide help?”]
This guide is very helpful as it teaches you the process of using diff to compare two files at the Mac command line.
[/wpsm_accordion_section]
[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Which devices are supported?”]
This guide is specifically for Apple devices.
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[wpsm_accordion_section title=”Which operating systems are supported?”]
The supported operating systems are macOS and iOS.
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Final Words

We hope this article on how to use diff to compare two files at the Mac command line has been helpful and has resolved your problems. Diff, short for “difference,” is a powerful tool that allows you to identify the differences between two or more files. Whether you’re comparing code or any other text files, diff can come in handy. Feel free to leave any further questions or tips in the comments below!

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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