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What does "diff" mean in programming?

diff is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

A comparison showing the differences between two versions of a file or between two commits. A diff shows lines added (in green) and removed (in red).

Example

"Review the diff before approving the pull request."

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