The zdiff command in Linux is used to invoke the diff program on files compressed via gzip. All options specified are passed directly to diff.

Important Points:

• If only one file is specified, it is compared to the uncompressed contents of the specified file.
• If two files are specified, their contents (uncompressed if necessary) are fed to diff.

Syntax:

zdiff [ diff_options ] file1 [ file2 ]

Example 1: In the below example, zdiff compares file1.gz and file2.gz and returns the lines in which the difference occurs.

• Creating two files and compressing them.

  

• Now comparing the two given files.

  

Example 2: Command with only one parameter. In the below example, file1.gz is compared with its uncompressed contents i.e., file1 and returns the lines in which the difference occurs.

• Replacing the contents of file1 while keeping the file1.gz same from Example 1.

  

• Now executing the zdiff command with single parameter.