The easiest way to run sdiff is to provide the two filenames you are trying to compare. Show Difference Between Two Files in Linuxġ. The syntax for using sdiff is as follows. It is easy to use and comes with straightforward usage options as explained below. Sdiff is a simple command line utility for showing the differences between two files and merge interactively. Read Also: How to Find Difference Between Two Directories Using Diff and Meld Tools Another useful diff utility for Linux is called sdiff. We listed a mixture of command-line and GUI tools for comparing and finding differences between files, each with certain remarkable features. Also, if you are a developer addicted to Git, Meld is perfect for comparing your commits before you can push or pull any code changes to your repositories.In one of our earlier article, we have explained about 9 best file comparison and difference (Diff) tools for Linux systems. Meld’s visualization makes it an ideal file and directory comparing tool as it easily deciphers the tiniest of differences between targeted files and directories. List Modified Files Between Two Directories If you have a recently modified directory file you would like to take note of, this Meld feature takes care of such needs. List Files Difference Between Two Directories Meld Modified This feature sorts out and displays new directory file additions between the two directories under comparison. Fetch Files Between Two Directories in Linux Meld New This feature will try to fetch similar files between the two directories. This feature highlights the main differences between the two files. When using Meld to handle directory files, Four important Meld features stand out: Meld Compare Use root privileges to run this command for effectiveness. We can also stretch our luck with Meld and compare two directories if needed. In the above case, we have successfully edited both files and saved the changes through Meld. To edit your files, you need to execute Meld. Meld opens your files in an editable editor environment. Whether you use Meld to compare file changes on two or three files, sometimes you may want to do more than just note the differences between these files. $ meld file1 file2 file3Īs expected, Meld has highlighted the portion of the three files that are different and left out the contextual portion that is identical in all files. Let us now try to compare file1, file2, and file3 at the same time. This file contains some number sequences in numeric and textual formats. Ones twice thrice fourth fifth sixth seventh eight nine ten $ nano file3Īdd the following content to it. Let us create a third file and make it slightly different than the first two files we compared. Unlike the diff file comparing tool, Meld’s file comparing capability can flexibly extend to three files. It then uses a dark blue foreground color to point out key contextual elements that make these two files dissimilar. $ meld file1 file2įirstly, Meld highlights the portion of both files that are different from the light blue foreground color. We can now implement and execute a file comparison attempt regarding these two files. This file contains some number sequences in numeric form and some textual representation of the numbers. One twice three four five six seven eight nine ten

This file contains some number sequences in numeric and textual form.Īnd again populate it with the following content. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten We will populate this file with some random content. We will be using these files to demonstrate the power of Meld as a file comparing tool. $ sudo emerge -a sys-apps/meld Ĭreate two files with slightly different content structures. Ensure you are a Sudoer user or you have Sudo privileges on the Linux system you are using. Install Meld in Linuxīefore we can learn the ropes of implementing Meld as an effective file comparison tool, we first need to have it installed and running on our Linux system.ĭepending on your Linux system distribution preference, install Meld in reference to the following installation command options. Additionally, Meld offers a merge functionality on top of it being a graphical diff tool. Therefore, sorting through data and code files no longer needs to be a struggle for developers and novice Linux users. Whether you are dealing with Git repository files, directory files, or ordinary system files, the visual capability of Meld makes any file comparing task not only fun but also a walk in the park. Think of Meld as a diff tool with graphical upgrades. If you are familiar with diff a Linux terminal-based tool for comparing two files in terms of contextual differences and layout, you are going to love what Meld has to offer.

Meld diff tool show line numbers