NAME

cmp − compare file data

SYNTAX

cmp [−l] [−s] file1 file2

DESCRIPTION

The cmp command compares two files. If file1 is ‘−’, the standard input is used.  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 an initial subsequence of the other, that fact is noted.

OPTIONS

Only one option may be specified at a time. 

−lLong format:  byte where difference occurs (decimal) and data differences (octal). 

−sSuppresses normal output and displays return code only.  Returns 0 if files are identical, 1 if different, and 2 if an error occurred. 

DIAGNOSTICS

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

SEE ALSO

diff(1), comm(1)

Commands