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 and word processors.
For a detailed comparison of features, see comparison of file comparison tools.
Free software
A few free software implementations:
- Diffutils [1] - a GNU package which includes the diff command among other utilities
- WinMerge [2]
- Meld [3] - also integrates with many version control systems
Proprietary software
Examples of proprietary file comparison utilities include:
- For Microsoft Windows:
- DiffDaff [4]
- P4WinMerge [5] - a component of the Perforce SCM System
- Web application:
Freeware with source code
- For Microsoft Windows:
- WinDiff - part of Microsoft's source code samples
- Cross Platform (Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, and Linux):
- For Microsoft Windows:
- AJC Diff [7]
- Altova DiffDog [8]
- Araxis merge [9]
- Beyond Compare [10]
- Compare It! [11]
- Diff Commander [12] - directory synchronisation tool
- Ellié Computing Merge [13]
- ExamDiff Pro
- Stylus Studio XML Differencing [14]
- UltraCompare [15]
- Visual Comparer [16]
- For the Macintosh:
Other
- Microsoft File Compare - MS-DOS & Windows' built in utility
- FileMerge - Macintosh's built in utility
See also
External links
 | This article related to a type of software is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |