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cmp(1)

diff(1)

diff3(1)

diffmk(1)

join(1)

uniq(1)

comm(1)

Name

comm − compare sorted data

Syntax

comm [−[123]] file1 file2

Description

The comm command reads file1 and file2, which should be ordered in ASCII collating sequence, and produces a three column output: lines only in file1; lines only in file2; and lines in both files.  The file name ‘−’ means the standard input. 

Options

1Suppresses column one: lines in file1 only. 

2Suppresses column two: lines in file2 only. 

3Suppresses column three: lines in file1 and file2. 

Thus comm −12 prints only the lines common to the two files.  And comm −23 prints only lines in the first file but not in the second.  Finally, comm −123 is not an option. 

See Also

cmp(1), diff(1), diff3(1), diffmk(1), join(1), uniq(1)

Typewritten Software • bear@typewritten.org • Edmonds, WA 98026