Code Diff Checker
Compare code files and text with side-by-side and unified diff views
Original Code
Modified Code
Side by Side Comparison
How to Use
- 1. Paste Code
Paste your original code in the left panel and modified code in the right panel
- 2. Choose Language
Select the programming language for better syntax highlighting
- 3. Adjust Settings
Configure diff options like ignoring whitespace or case differences
- 4. View Results
Switch between side-by-side and unified diff views to analyze changes
- 5. Export
Copy the diff or download as a .patch file for version control
Professional Code Diff Checker & File Comparison Tool
Compare code files, text documents, and track changes with our advanced diff checker tool. Whether you're reviewing code changes, merging files, or analyzing document revisions, our tool provides comprehensive comparison features with both side-by-side and unified diff views.
Designed for developers, writers, and content managers, our diff checker supports multiple programming languages, customizable comparison options, and export functionality. Perfect for code reviews, version control, and document management workflows.
Advanced Comparison Features
- Side-by-Side View
Visual line-by-line comparison with highlighted differences
- Unified Diff Format
Standard Unix diff format for version control integration
- Syntax Highlighting
Support for 10+ programming languages and markup formats
- Smart Comparison Options
Ignore whitespace, case differences, and empty lines
- Export Capabilities
Download patch files or copy diff output for sharing
- Change Statistics
Track additions, deletions, and modifications with counters
Supported File Types
Our diff checker automatically detects file types and applies appropriate syntax highlighting for better readability. The tool works with any text-based file format, making it versatile for various development and documentation workflows.
Understanding Diff Formats
Diff tools are essential for software development, version control, and document management. Understanding different diff formats helps you choose the right view for your specific needs and integrate with existing workflows.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The side-by-side view displays both versions of your code or text in parallel columns, making it easy to see exactly what changed at each line. This format is ideal for code reviews, visual comparisons, and understanding the context of changes.
Unified Diff Format
The unified diff format is the standard format used by version control systems like Git, SVN, and Mercurial. It shows changes in a compact format with '+' for additions, '-' for deletions, and context lines around changes. This format is perfect for patch files and automated processing.
Patch File Generation
Our tool generates standard patch files that can be applied using command-line tools like 'patch' or integrated into version control workflows. Patch files are essential for distributing changes, creating backups of modifications, and collaborating on code projects.
Practical Applications & Use Cases
Code Review & Development
Review code changes before merging, compare different implementations, and analyze the impact of modifications on your codebase with detailed line-by-line comparisons.
Document Version Control
Track changes in documentation, configuration files, and text documents. Compare different versions and understand what has changed between document revisions.
Configuration Management
Compare configuration files, environment settings, and deployment scripts to ensure consistency across different environments and identify configuration drift.
Advanced Diff Algorithms & Options
Our diff checker implements multiple algorithms to provide accurate and meaningful comparisons for different types of content. Understanding these options helps you get the most relevant results for your specific use case.
Myers Algorithm
The default Myers algorithm provides efficient and accurate diffs for most content types. It finds the shortest edit script (minimum number of insertions and deletions) to transform one text into another, making it ideal for general-purpose comparisons.
Whitespace and Case Handling
Configure how the diff algorithm handles whitespace differences, case sensitivity, and empty lines. These options are crucial when comparing code that has been reformatted or when focusing on logical changes rather than stylistic ones.
Context Lines
Adjust the number of context lines shown around changes to provide more or less surrounding code for better understanding. This is particularly useful when working with large files or when you need to see the broader context of modifications.
Integration with Development Workflows
Version Control Integration: Export unified diffs as patch files that can be applied using Git, SVN, or other version control systems. Perfect for code reviews, hotfixes, and collaborative development.
Code Review Process: Use side-by-side comparisons to conduct thorough code reviews. The visual format makes it easy to spot logic changes, identify potential issues, and understand the impact of modifications.
Documentation Updates: Track changes in README files, API documentation, and technical specifications. Compare different versions to ensure accuracy and completeness of documentation updates.
Configuration Auditing: Monitor changes in configuration files, environment variables, and deployment scripts to maintain consistency across different environments and deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file types can I compare with this tool?
Our diff checker works with any text-based file format including source code (JavaScript, Python, Java, etc.), markup languages (HTML, XML, Markdown), configuration files (JSON, YAML, INI), and plain text documents. Binary files are not supported.
How accurate is the diff algorithm?
We use the industry-standard Myers algorithm, which is the same algorithm used by Git and many other professional diff tools. It provides highly accurate results by finding the optimal sequence of changes between two texts.
Can I use the patch files with version control systems?
Yes, our tool generates standard unified diff format patch files that are compatible with Git, SVN, Mercurial, and other version control systems. You can apply these patches using standard command-line tools.
Is there a limit on file size?
The tool processes files entirely in your browser, so the limit depends on your device's memory. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 1MB. Very large files may cause slower processing or browser performance issues.
Are my files stored or sent to any server?
No, all processing happens locally in your browser. Your files and code are never uploaded to our servers or transmitted anywhere. This ensures complete privacy and security of your sensitive code and documents.