How can I compare two files in a batch file?

Question

How can I compare two files in a batch file, and perform an action based on whether or not they match? I\'ve tried something like:

if file1.txt NEQ file2.txt got         


        

Answer 1

I use the below example to build reports based on file differences:

set %Batch_Work_Space_Dir%=folder for your batch file and temp resource files
set file_1=name of file
set file_2=name of file

fc %file_1% %file_1%t > %Batch_Work_Space_Dir%\Are_They_Different.txt

powershell -command "(Get-Content %Batch_Work_Space_Dir%\Are_They_Different.txt) | select -skip 1 | Set-Content %Batch_Work_Space_Dir%\Are_They_Different.txt"
set /p Diff_Found=<%Batch_Work_Space_Dir%\Are_They_Different.txt
if %Diff_Found:~0,17%" == "FC: no difference" (
  execute commands
 )