What is diff command in Linux?

The diff command in Linux is a powerful utility that compares files line by line. It is commonly used to identify differences between two files, whether they be text files, configuration files, or source code files. The output of the diff command highlights the lines that are different, making it easier for users to visualize the changes.

For example, when comparing two text files, file1.txt and file2.txt, the command can be executed as follows:

diff file1.txt file2.txt

The output will show the lines that differ between the two files, marked with special symbols.


Linux diff command file comparison text files line by line comparison