How to Compare Files in Visual Studio Code

Created on 24 October, 2024 | Text tools | 40 views | 2 minutes read

Learn how to efficiently compare code blocks and files in Visual Studio Code with this step-by-step tutorial. Discover tips for

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is an incredibly versatile code editor that offers various features to enhance your coding experience. One such feature is the ability to compare files and code blocks. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through two scenarios: comparing code blocks within the editor and comparing two separate files.

Comparing Code Blocks

To start comparing two pieces of code, follow these simple steps:

1. Open Visual Studio Code: Launch the application and navigate to the Explorer sidebar.
2. Access the Open Editors Menu: Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Explorer panel and select Open Editors. This will allow you to work with untitled files for your comparison.
3. Create Untitled Files:

• Double-click in the editor area to create your first untitled file. This will be referred to as Untitled 1.
• Repeat this process to create a second untitled file, named Untitled 2.

1. Paste Your Code:

• In Untitled 1, paste the first piece of code you wish to compare.
• In Untitled 2, paste the second piece of code.

1. Select and Compare:

• Right-click on Untitled 1 and select Select for Compare.
• Then, right-click on Untitled 2 and choose Compare with Selected. This action will open the comparison mode, where differences between the two code blocks will be highlighted. Changes will appear in red for deletions and in green for additions.

1. Navigating Differences:

• If you have a larger code block, you can navigate through the differences using the arrow keys. Alternatively, press Alt + F5 to move to the next difference.

Comparing Two Files

Next, let’s move on to comparing actual files:

1. Select Your Files: Begin by selecting the two files you want to compare in your file system. For this example, we’ll use two Java files.
2. Drag and Drop: Drag both files into the VS Code editor. This action will open the files in the editor for comparison.
3. Open Editors View: You’ll see both files listed under Open Editors in the Explorer panel.
4. Initiate the Comparison:

• Right-click on the first file and select Select for Compare.
• Then, right-click on the second file and choose Compare with Selected. This will initiate the comparison mode, similar to what we did with the code blocks.

1. Review the Differences: The differences will be highlighted in the same manner, with deletions marked in red and additions in green.
2. Navigate Through Changes: Use the down arrow to move to the next difference or press Alt + F5 to quickly switch through the changes.

Conclusion

Comparing files and code blocks in Visual Studio Code is a straightforward process that enhances your coding workflow. Whether you’re working with snippets of code or full-fledged files, the built-in comparison tool provides a clear view of differences, allowing for easy adjustments and reviews.

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