What are the common options for diff command?

Common Options for the diff Command

The diff command is a powerful tool in the Linux operating system that is used to compare the contents of two files or directories and display the differences between them. Here are some of the common options for the diff command:

1. Context Diff (-c): This option displays the differences between the two files in a context format, which shows a few lines of context around each difference.

   Example:

   diff -c file1.txt file2.txt

2. Unified Diff (-u): This option displays the differences between the two files in a unified format, which shows the differences in a more compact and readable way.

   Example:

   diff -u file1.txt file2.txt

3. Recursive Diff (-r): This option is used to compare the contents of two directories recursively, including all subdirectories.

   Example:

   diff -r dir1 dir2

4. Ignore Whitespace (-w): This option ignores any differences in whitespace (spaces, tabs, newlines) between the two files.

   Example:

   diff -w file1.txt file2.txt

5. Ignore Case (-i): This option ignores any differences in case (uppercase/lowercase) between the two files.

   Example:

   diff -i file1.txt file2.txt

6. Side-by-Side Diff (-y): This option displays the differences between the two files in a side-by-side format, which can be easier to read for some users.

   Example:

   diff -y file1.txt file2.txt

7. Suppress Common Lines (-D): This option suppresses the display of common lines between the two files, and only shows the differences.

   Example:

   diff -D file1.txt file2.txt

8. Output Unified Diff to a File (-u > diff.txt): This option outputs the unified diff to a file named diff.txt.

   Example:

   diff -u file1.txt file2.txt > diff.txt

These are just a few of the many options available for the diff command. The specific options you choose will depend on your needs and the task at hand. The diff command is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios, from comparing code files to tracking changes in configuration files.

Here's a Mermaid diagram that summarizes the common options for the diff command: