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Using 'diff' exit status in an if statement

 
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# 1  
Old 02-03-2011
Using 'diff' exit status in an if statement
is there a way to compare two files using diff (ex: diff 1.txt 2.txt) in an if statement?
I read that the exit status of diff is 0 if the files contain the same content. 1 if they're different. So what I am attempting is basically:

Code:
if [ "exit status of diff 1.txt 2.txt equals 0" ]; then
           echo "they're the same"
else
           echo "they're different"
fi

how can I finish that if statement?

sorry for 2 questions in one day Smilie
# 2  
Old 02-04-2011
Long form:
Code:
diff file1.txt file2.txt >/dev/null 2>&1
if [ $? -eq 0 ]
then
    echo "Files are the same"
else
    echo "Files are different"
fi

Shorter:
Code:
if diff file1.txt file2.txt >/dev/null 2>&1
then
    echo "Files are the same"
else
    echo "Files are different"
fi

# 3  
Old 02-04-2011
Code:
diff -q file1.txt file2.txt

 
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