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. Originally, the word computing was synonymous with counting and calculating, and a science that deals with the original sense of computing mathematical calculations. ... In computing, a file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them. ... Network cards such as this one can transmit data at high rates over ethernet cables. ... In computing, a file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them. ... Revision control (also known as Version control) is the management of multiple revisions of the same unit of information. ...

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. In computing, diff is a file comparison utility that outputs the differences between two files. ... // Other uses of CMP This article is about software. ... Notepad is the standard text editor for Microsoft Windows A text editor is a piece of computer software for editing plain text. ... A word processor (also more formally known as a document preparation system) is a computer application used for the production (including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort of viewable or printed material. ...

Free file comparison tools

• Diffutils [2] - A GNU package which includes the diff command among other utilities.
• 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.

GNU (pronounced ) is a free software operating system consisting of a kernel, libraries, system tools, compilers and many end-user applications. ... In computing, diff is a file comparison utility that outputs the differences between two files. ... WinMerge is a free software tool for differencing and merging text-like files. ... GNU (pronounced ) is a free software operating system consisting of a kernel, libraries, system tools, compilers and many end-user applications. ... Meld performing a file comparison. ... Revision control is an aspect of documentation control wherein changes to documents are identified by incrementing an associated number or letter code, termed the revision level, or simply revision. It has been a standard practice in the maintenance of engineering drawings for as long as the generation of such drawings...

Proprietary Software

Examples of proprietary file comparison utilities include: Proprietary software is software that has restrictions on using and copying it, usually enforced by a proprietor. ...

• 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

Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems by Microsoft for use on personal computers, although versions of Windows designed for servers, embedded devices, and other platforms also exist. ... ExamDiff Pro is a powerful yet intuitive and easy to use visual file and directory comparison tool for Windows. ... FastSum Checksums Verification Wizard FastSum is integrity checker software based on MD5 checksum algorithm. ... In MS-DOS 3. ... WinDiff sample output WinDiff is a graphical diff-like program published by Microsoft. ... BBEdit is a text editor originally developed for Macintosh System Software 6 and now for Mac OS X. It is made by Bare Bones Software. ... FileMerge is an application included with the Mac OS X Tiger Developer Tools. ...

External links

• File Comparison at the Open Directory Project
• DiffNote - Web application powered by GNU diff that produces prettier and slightly more informative output.