---
name: "pdiff"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "a2ps"
version: "4.15.8-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pdiff"
---

# pdiff(1)

produce a pretty comparison between files

## NAME

pdiff - produce a pretty comparison between files

## SYNOPSIS

**pdiff** *FILE1 FILE2* \[*-- A2PS-OPTIONS*...\]

## DESCRIPTION

Pretty print the differences between FILE1 and FILE2.

## OPTIONS

- **-h**, **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **-v**, **--version**

  display version information and exit

- **-q**, **--quiet**

  don't print informational messages

- **-l**, **--lines**

  search for line differences (\`diff')

- **-w**, **--words**

  search for word differences (\`wdiff')

- **-o**, **--output**=*FILE*

  save the output in FILE

Options for a2ps are given after \`--', for instance

-

  `$ pdiff COPYING COPYING.LIB -- -Pdisplay`

News, updates and documentation: https://www.gnu.org/software/a2ps/

## AUTHOR

Written by Akim Demaille.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<bug-a2ps@gnu.org\>.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 1997-1999 Akim Demaille, Miguel Santana\
 This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

## SEE ALSO

[**a2ps**(1)](/a2ps/1.md), [**card**(1)](/card/1.md), [**fixps**(1)](/fixps/1.md), [**pdiff**(1)](/pdiff/1.md).

The full documentation for **pdiff** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **pdiff** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info pdiff**

should give you access to the complete manual.