Comparing files with BeeDiff
Vive la Différence
BeeDiff compares two files and quickly displays the differences in a convenient desktop GUI interface.
Programmers often work with patches that contain the differences between two files. Linux has always had text-based tools for file comparison, such as the classic Unix diff utility. BeeDiff is a comparison tool with a graphic edge: You can compare files from a handy desktop interface, and color-coded changes appear.
Installation
BeeDiff [1] is not available as a prebuilt package with the current versions of Ubuntu and Debian, but it is included with openSUSE.
If you can't find BeeDiff in your distribution's repository, you can always download a binary from the website [2]. At the command line, type tar xvfz beediff_1.7_i586.tar.gz or run your archive manager to unpack the beediff directory with the files. To launch the program, enter beediff at the command line.
On our Ubuntu 8.04 lab system with the Gnome desktop, BeeDiff depends on the libqtgui4 package, which triggered some more dependencies.
Also, the initial launch took longer than expected. The program window (Figure 1) is neat and tidy, with two text boxes, an icon bar, and a status line that contains four counters.
Alternatives to BeeDiff
Because comparing files is part of the developer's daily grind many programs with varying functional scope can compare files. Purists will prefer command-line tools like diff. If you also use Windows and Mac OS X to work on files, the tkdiff [3] GUI is preferable to BeeDiff. KDiff3 [4], Meld [5], or Diffuse [6] have more functions than BeeDiff. Most editors and office packages now offer similar functionality.
Configuration
The BeeDiff interface is fairly self-explanatory. If needed, System | Configure takes you to the basic settings (Figure 2), including upper/lower-case tolerance, tabs, blank lines and spaces, and the font and font color for changes. In most cases, the defaults should be fine.
Comparing Files
To compare files, open the files by clicking the … button above the text windows. It makes sense to load the original file in the left-hand window and the file you want to compare it to in the right-hand window. The tool automatically numbers the lines, but you can disable this in System | Numeration.
Figure 3 shows you a comparison between two text files. The left-hand text window contains the original file, test1.txt, and the right-hand window has a modified version called test2.txt. The status bar tells you that there are a total of 26 differences, including 9 changes, 8 additions, and 9 deletions. Red highlighting indicates line deletions, green indicates changes within a line, and blue shows line insertions. Changes to individual words are highlighted in yellow.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.