Compare two files

The OS X install includes /usr/bin/opendiff. This application expects that you have installed the optional Xcode, which contains Filemerge.app. Specifying opendiff file1 file2 in the Terminal will then launch the graphical Filemerge application with each file in its own sub-window, with graphics connecting where differences occur. Here, a comment is in one file and not another. For privacy purposes, I have excluded the filenames (and home directory) from the image.

A lot depends on what the files contain. If they are text files, TextWrangler, as mentioned by Barney-15E is a good choice. TextWrangler is a "Free" download, so give it a try.

If the files are not just simple Text, you may require special software.

From an the Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal session, you can use

cmp file.1 file.2

and it will tell you if the files are different, regardless of the type of file, however, it will not tell you exactly what is different.

If TextWrangler does not work for you, please tell use what kind of files they are, and maybe there is another difference tool available.

diff command in Terminal for text files.

TextMate (and most other code editors) has a bundle for diff'ing open files & selections etc.

Filemerge (in Xcode) for files & folders.

Kaleidoscope is impressive for handling just about everything - http://www.kaleidoscopeapp.com

Also look at changes - http://martiancraft.com/products/changes.html

Have you heard of alternativeto.net… 🙂

http://alternativeto.net/software/kaleidoscope/?platform=mac

Download TextWrangler by BareBones software. It’s free and has a nice interface to compare files.

There’s also diff from the Terminal.