diffb -- compare binary files and show differences

SYNOPSIS

diffb [-n] [-C n] [-c[n]] file1 file2

The diffb utility indicates which bytes differ in the binary files file1 and file2. Output consists of descriptions of the changes in a style reminiscent of the ed text editor. Each description is headed by a line showing the type of change being performed. This line contains three pieces of information:

the location of the range of bytes in file1 affected by the change, represented as an offset from the beginning of the file;

the type of change: one of a (append), d (delete), and c (change);

the location of the range of bytes in file2 affected by the change.

After the line giving the type of change, the deleted or added bytes are displayed. Non-printable bytes are represented by an escape sequence consisting of a backslash character (\), followed by the ASCII representation of the byte displayed as a three-digit octal number.

The output of diffb resembles the output of diff, except that differences are ranges of bytes rather than ranges of lines. Each displayed set of bytes from file1 is prefixed by <, and a < appears at the start of each new line in a set of bytes (that is, after each newline character). Similarly, each group of bytes from file2 is prefixed by >, and a > appears at the start of each new line in a set of bytes. If bytes from both file1 and file2 are being displayed, a line consisting of --- separates the two sets of bytes.

Options

-C n: is equivalent to -c n.
-c[n]: displays n bytes of context before and after each difference. The default value for n is 3.
-n: displays the differences in a form usable by PTC Windchill Source Code Management.

DIAGNOSTICS

Possible exit status values are:

0

The files were identical.

1

The files were compared successfully and found to be different.

2

Failure due to any of the following:

— the inability to open an input file

— a syntax error on the command line

— the wrong number of arguments on the command line

LIMITS

The set of differences produced by diffb is correct but may not be minimal.

PORTABILITY

Windows 10. Windows Server 2016. Windows Server 2019. Windows 11. Windows Server 2022. Windows Server 2025.

AVAILABILITY

PTC MKS Toolkit for Power Users
PTC MKS Toolkit for System Administrators
PTC MKS Toolkit for Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Interoperability
PTC MKS Toolkit for Professional Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Professional Developers 64-Bit Edition
PTC MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers
PTC MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers 64-Bit Edition
PTC Windchill Source Code Management
PTC Windchill Source Code Management

diffb
compare binary files and show differences

Command