cmp(1)                                                     cmp(1)



NAME
     cmp - compares two files

SYNOPSIS
     cmp [-l] [-s] file1 file2

ARGUMENTS
     file1
          Specifies the file to be compared with file2.  If this
          argument is -, the standard input is used.

     file2
          Specifies the file to be compared with file1.

     -l   Prints the byte number (decimal) and the differing
          bytes (octal) for each difference.

     -s   Prints nothing for differing files; return codes only.

DESCRIPTION
     The two files are compared.  Under default options, cmp
     makes no comment if the files are the same; if they differ,
     it announces the byte and line number at which the
     difference occurred.  If one file is a subset of the other,
     that fact is noted.

EXAMPLES
     The command:

        cmp alpha beta

     will report if the files are different and at what point
     they differ, such as:

        alpha beta differ: char 33, line 2


STATUS MESSAGES AND VALUES
     Exit code 0 is returned for identical files, 1 for different
     files, and 2 for an inaccessible or missing argument.

FILES
     /bin/cmp
          Executable file

SEE ALSO
     bdiff(1), comm(1), diff(1), diff3(1), diffmk(1)








January 1992                                                    1