(xemacs.info)Comparing Files

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14.8 Comparing Files
====================

The command `M-x diff' compares two files, displaying the differences
in an Emacs buffer named `*Diff*'.  It works by running the `diff'
program, using options taken from the variable `diff-switches', whose
value should be a string.

   The buffer `*Diff*' has Compilation mode as its major mode, so you
can use `C-x `' to visit successive changed locations in the two source
files.  You can also move to a particular hunk of changes and type `C-c
C-c' to find the corresponding source location.  You can also use the
other special commands of Compilation mode: <SPC> and <DEL> for
scrolling, and `M-p' and `M-n' for cursor motion.  Note: Compilation.

   The command `M-x diff-backup' compares a specified file with its most
recent backup.  If you specify the name of a backup file, `diff-backup'
compares it with the source file that it is a backup of.

   The command `M-x compare-windows' compares the text in the current
window with that in the next window.  Comparison starts at point in each
window.  Point moves forward in each window, a character at a time in
each window, until the next characters in the two windows are
different.  Then the command is finished.  For more information about
windows in Emacs, Note: Windows.

   With a numeric argument, `compare-windows' ignores changes in
whitespace.  If the variable `compare-ignore-case' is non-`nil', it
ignores differences in case as well.