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Professionally compare differences between two texts or code snippets. Highlights additions, deletions, and modifications to assist with code review, document merging, and version control.
Overview
Understand what the tool solves, how it works, and the boundaries of its data.
Code Compare places an original text or code snippet on the left and a modified version on the right, then marks line-level changes. Matching lines provide context; added and removed lines are shown on their respective sides. Use the line numbers to locate a changed area, then inspect the highlighted characters to see a variable rename, punctuation edit, or spacing change.
The comparison is based on the pasted text. For instance, changing let count = 2; to let total = 2; keeps the line in view and highlights the changed name. The tool does not execute code or determine whether the edited version is valid, equivalent, or safe.
The language menu includes Plain Text and common formats such as JSON, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Python, Java, C/C++, C#, Go, SQL, Bash, Markdown, XML, YAML, Dockerfile, Rust, Ruby, and INI. Choosing a language colors syntax in the two input editors to make pasted content easier to scan. It does not validate syntax or change the text being compared.
A code diff is a view of textual changes. A logically equivalent rewrite can still look different, and a one-character change can matter even if most of the line is unchanged. GNU Diffutils documentation likewise describes differences as comparison output whose formatting and options determine how changes are presented.
Guide
Follow the workflow and verify inputs and outputs with practical examples.
Put the original on the left and the modified version on the right. Reversing them also reverses which side appears to add or remove text.
Paste the two snippets into their respective panes. The comparison updates as the text changes; there is no separate compare action.
Select the matching language if it helps you read the input, or leave Plain Text selected. This choice changes highlighting only.
First locate added or removed lines using the side-by-side result, then inspect within changed lines for the exact characters that differ.
Use cases
See how the tool fits into real work and everyday tasks.
Compare a function before and after a proposed edit to identify changed names, conditions, or return statements before discussing the change with a teammate.
Paste old and new settings to spot changes to values, punctuation, capitalization, or indentation before updating the source file.
Compare two plain-text drafts to locate inserted, deleted, or changed wording. For large formatting-only changes, normalize the formatting first to make the comparison easier to scan.
Q&A
Find concise answers to common questions and confusing cases.
The display represents the old line as removed and the new line as added. Compare the paired lines and their character highlights to see what changed.
No. Language selection controls syntax coloring in the input editors. The comparison still uses the text entered in the two panes.
This page compares pasted snippets. It does not upload files, read version-control history, merge changes, or create an applyable patch.
Notes
Review scope, result limitations, and important precautions before use.
Whitespace, tabs, line breaks, letter case, and punctuation are part of the text and can appear as changes. There is no control to ignore whitespace or case. The page accepts typed or pasted text; it does not preserve rich-text styling or compare binary files. The visible difference alone cannot establish program correctness, successful compilation, or safe behavior. Use tests and the relevant review process for consequential code changes. Avoid pasting credentials, private keys, passwords, or production secrets into a page unless you have confirmed the handling is appropriate for that material.
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