File comparison

File comparison in computing is the automatic comparing of data between files on a file system. The result of comparisons are typically displayed to the user, but can also be used to accomplish tasks in networks, file systems and revision control.

Examples of programs that complete the task include diff and cmp. The ability to highlight the changes to a document or file are found in text editors[1] and word processors.

Free file comparison tools

• Diffutils [2] - A GNU package which includes the diff command among other utilities.
• DiffNote - Web application powered by GNU diff that produces prettier and slightly more informative output.
• WinMerge [3] - A free software tool (GNU) for differencing and merging text-like files. It is useful for determing what has changed between versions, and then merging changes between versions.
• Meld [4] - A GUI tool for viewing and merging differences between files and folders. It also integrates with many version control systems.
• DiffDaff [5] - A Windows-based GUI tool like WinDiff with more features with file compare, folder comparison and web page comparison.

Proprietary Software

Examples of proprietary file comparison utilities include:

• For Microsoft Windows
  • AJC Diff [6]
  • Altova DiffDog [7]
  • Araxis merge [8]
  • Beyond Compare [9]
  • Compare It! [10]
  • Diff Commander [11] - synchronize directories tool
  • DiffDaff [12] - Freeware that compares also directories and web pages
  • Ellié Computing Merge [13] - Compare and Merge 2 or 3 files and folders
  • ExamDiff Pro and ExamDiff
  • FastSum File Integrity Checker
  • Microsoft File Compare
  • P4WinMerge [14] - a component of the Perforce SCM System.
  • Stylus Studio XML Differencing [15]
  • UltraCompare [16]
  • Visual Comparer [17] - file compare and merge tool
  • WinDiff
• For Macintosh:
  • BBEdit
  • Differences Examiner [18]
  • FileMerge

External links

• Template:Dmoz