(emacs.info) Comparing Files

 
 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
 <RET> or `C-c C-c', or click `Mouse-2' on it, to move to 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.   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, and each starting position is pushed on the mark ring in its
 respective buffer.  Then point moves forward in each window, a character
 at a time, until a mismatch between the two windows is reached.  Then
 the command is finished.  For more information about windows in Emacs,
  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.
 
    See also  Emerge, for convenient facilities for merging two
 similar files.
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