Compare text files

[Harrie]

Is there a way to take two text files, and using the command line, find any exact duplicates? I mean, so that they are highlighted or something else stand-outish. I'm not satisfied with Track Changes/Compare Documents in Word, and freeware out there for comparing files, well.......so far, I haven't found a program where I really "like" the way differences are shown!

[MishY]

Hiya Harrie - why do you want to use the command line ? If you were in Linux I'd have the perfect solution.

This prog is good but not command line: http://www.scootersoftware.com/

& has a free trial

[Harrie]

Oh! Thank you, I'll try it out!

I didn't so much want to use the command line, just thought it might be effective.

Would you mind very much posting the perfect solution in Linux? I don't have it, but I know a Linux fanatic and I would like to pass it along! Besides, I'm interested in Linux!

Thanks a lot, Mishy. Be back after trying the proggie.

[Harrie]

I do like this one better than what I tried yesterday, notably WinMerge. White background black text showing exact duplicates. And that "copy to other side" business is good, too! In fact, I really like that. Hmmm. Wish it were free forever, LOL. I like it, though. Thank you, Mishy!

[Harrie]

Just wanted to say I ran into another interesting program, called TextMonkeyPro. I should probably make a new post about it because it isn't specifically for comparing files, though it does have an option to delete duplicate lines so that caught my eye. It looks interesting for people who do HTML, blogging, etc. Just thought I'd post about it. Two people I really respect use it. Not a freebie but a 10-day free trial is available.

TextMonkeyPro

[columbus]

Originally Posted by Harrie

Is there a way to take two text files, and using the command line, find any exact duplicates? I mean, so that they are highlighted or something else stand-outish. I'm not satisfied with Track Changes/Compare Documents in Word, and freeware out there for comparing files, well.......so far, I haven't found a program where I really "like" the way differences are shown!

Recently I found another program for comparing files: Compare Suite (www.comparesuite.com).

This product is more powerful than MS word because it allows comparing files of different formats such as *.txt, *.doc, *xls, *.html, *.pdf etc. Also I often use it for comparing folders including numerous subfolders. After comparison you can all the results in easy-to-read form: comparison report.

You can download it for free from the website and use it for 30 days with no features restriction.

So far I’m satisfied with the performance.