What is the output of diff?
When the context output format is used, the diff command displays several lines of context around the lines that differ between the files. The output starts with the names and the timestamps if the files that are compared, and one or more sections that describe the differences.
How does diff utility work?
The diff command is invoked from the command line, passing it the names of two files: diff original new . The output of the command represents the changes required to transform the original file into the new file. If original and new are directories, then diff will be run on each file that exists in both directories.
What is a diff in coding?
Alternatively referred to as compare, diff is short for different or difference and describes a program’s ability to show the difference between two or more files. A diff is an invaluable tool in programming as it enables a developer to see what has changed in-between versions.
Who invented diff?
The conventional automobile differential was invented in 1827 by a Frenchman, Onésiphore Pecqueur. It was used first on steam-driven vehicles and was a well-known device when internal-combustion engines appeared at the end of the 19th century.
What symbol does the output of the diff command use to indicate that the line is found in FILE2 but not FILE1?
Options
| %< | Lines from FILE1. |
|---|---|
| %> | Lines from FILE2. |
| %= | Lines common to FILE1 and FILE2. |
What is the unified diff output?
This output is often used as input to the patch program. Many projects specifically request that “diffs” be submitted in the unified format, making unified diff format the most common format for exchange between software developers.
What is the output of diff command called?
The output is called a “diff”, or a patch, since the output can be applied with the Unix program patch. The output of similar file comparison utilities is also called a “diff”; like the use of the word ” grep ” for describing the act of searching, the word diff became a generic term for calculating data difference and the results thereof.
Is your diff output not human-friendly?
You’re not alone. The output is not exactly human-friendly. In order to understand what’s going on, you need to know more about how diff works. It may be helpful to know that when the analysis is done, file2 [in the syntax] is treated as the reference document that you are trying to match with.
Which is the best example of diff without options?
Example 1: Diff without options 1 The order matters 2 Important Symbols in the diff command output. Using the table below as a reference, you can better understand what is happening in your terminal. 3 Explanation of the diff command output. The line 2 of file 1, CHANGE with line 2 of file 2. Change “locket” to “LOCKET” to match file 2.txt