6.0;cmf (compare_file), revision 6.0, 83/03/14
CMF (COMPARE_FILE) -- Identify differences among files.
usage:  CMF file_a [...file_e] [-R report_file] [-TB] [-BR] [-L] [-M n]


FORMAT

  CMF file_a [...file_e] [options]


  CMF  compares  the  contents  of  two  to  five  ASCII  files  and reports the
  differences on standard output.  This command works only on files: to  compare
  directory trees, use CMT (COMPARE_TREE).


ARGUMENTS

  file_a
  (required)          Specify  pathname  of  original  file; all differences are
                     reported in relation to this file.    Wildcarding  of  this
                     pathname is permitted to achieve multiple comparisons.

  file_b ... file_e
  (optional)          Specify  descendants  of file_a.  If more than one file is
                     specified, you may use a hyphen (-) to cause standard input
                     to be read in place  of  a  pathname.    Pathnames  may  be
                     derived from 'file_a .'

                     Default if omitted:  read standard input


OPTIONS

  -R pathname         Report  all  differences  to the specified report_file, in
                     addition to reporting to standard output.    This  pathname
                     may  be  derived  from  file_a (if file_a is wildcarded) to
                     produce one report for  each  comparison.    If  file_a  is
                     wildcarded  and  this report file name is NOT derived, then
                     all reports are concatenated into the single report file.

  -TB                Include trailing blanks  in  the  comparison.  By  default,
                     ignore trailing blanks.

  -BR                  Display   only   line   numbers   of   lines   containing
                     discrepancies.  By default, display both line  numbers  and
                     line contents.

  -L                   Display   names  of  files  being  compared  before  each
                     comparison is performed.  This is  useful  when  wildcarded
                     pathnames are specified.

  -M n               Set the minimum number of lines for a rematch to 'n.'  This
                     is  the  minimum  number  of  lines,  following  a reported
                     difference, which must match for CMF to consider the  files
                     synchronized.  The default value is 3.


EXAMPLES

    Assume that file "file1" contains

        Four score
        and seven
        years ago,
        our forefathers brought
        forth

    And "file2" contains

        Eighty seven
        years ago,
        our forefathers brought


    CMF produces the following output when "file1"
    is compared to "file2."

        $ cmf file1 file2

        A1        Four score
        A2        and seven
        changed to
        B1        Eighty seven


        A5        forth
        deleted before
        end of file B


        2 discrepancies found.


RELATED TOPICS

  More information is available.  Type:

  - HELP CMSRF
    for details about comparing sorted files.

  - HELP CMT
    for details about comparing directory trees.