3.24 Comparison

This section describes commands which compare files, windows and/or buffers against each other.

Compare Windows Editor Command

Arguments: source1 source2
Key sequence: None

Compares the text in the current window with the text of another window. The points are left where the text differs.

source1 defaults to the current window. source2 defaults to the next ordinary window.

Differences in whitespace are ignored by default, according to the value of compare-ignores-whitespace.

Compare Buffers Editor Command

Arguments: buffer1 buffer2
Key sequence: None

Compares the text in the current buffer with that another buffer.

The first argument defaults to the current buffer. The second defaults to the next editor buffer.

Differences in whitespace are ignored by default, according to the value of compare-ignores-whitespace.

Compare File and Buffer Editor Command

Arguments: None
Key sequence: None

The command Compare File And Buffer compares the text in the buffer with the text in the associated file, which is displayed in another window if the text differs. The points are left where the texts differ.

If the buffer is not associated with a file, editor:editor-error is called.

compare-ignores-whitespace Editor Variable

Initial value: t

When true, the Compare Windows and Compare Buffers commands ignore mismatches due to differences in whitespace.

Diff Editor Command

Arguments: file1 file2
Key sequence: None

Compares the current buffer with another file.

A prefix argument makes it compare any two files, prompting you for both filenames.

Diff Ignoring Whitespace Editor Command

Arguments: file1 file2
Key sequence: None

Compares the current buffer with another file, like Diff but ignoring whitespace.

A prefix argument is interpreted in the same way as by Diff.