Comparing conf files - easy way?

[dcung]

When I want to compare compare what packages that are in 2 conf files (mklive), I did it manually.
i.e. I cut and paste the packages list into a file, and start deleting common ones (exist in both), to see those difference.

I'd like to automate it with scripting, but not enough skill to do so.
Is it possible to do so easier with for loop and sed to tell the differences?

[fredx181]

When I want to compare compare what packages that are in 2 conf files (mklive), I did it manually.
i.e. I cut and paste the packages list into a file, and start deleting common ones (exist in both), to see those difference.

I'd like to automate it with scripting, but not enough skill to do so.
Is it possible to do so easier with for loop and sed to tell the differences?

The comm command is suitable for that, but it's first required to create (sorted) files that contain the package names line by line:
From terminal where the configs are located:

Code: Select all

CONF1=myconf1.conf    # edit to real name of the first .conf
CONF2=myconf2.conf    # edit to real name of the second .conf

source "$CONF1"
pkgs="$BASE_INSTALL $BASE_APPS_INSTALL $DESK_APPS_INSTALL $BASE_DOG_APPS_INSTALL $EXTRA_DOG_APPS_INSTALL $FIRMWARE"
echo -e "$pkgs" | tr ' ' '\n' | sort -u > ${CONF1}.txt

source "$CONF2"
pkgs="$BASE_INSTALL $BASE_APPS_INSTALL $DESK_APPS_INSTALL $BASE_DOG_APPS_INSTALL $EXTRA_DOG_APPS_INSTALL $FIRMWARE"
echo -e "$pkgs" | tr ' ' '\n' | sort -u > ${CONF2}.txt

Then in the same terminal , one of these (not sure what you prefer), or put all together combined with the above in a script:

# find common lines, what is in CONF1 AND in CONF2
comm -12 ${CONF1}.txt ${CONF2}.txt

# find what is only in CONF1 and not in CONF2
comm -23 ${CONF1}.txt ${CONF2}.txt

# find what is only in CONF2 and not in CONF1
comm -23 ${CONF2}.txt ${CONF1}.txt

[dcung]

The comm command is suitable for that, but it's first required to create (sorted) files that contain the package names line by line:
...

Tried it... made a script... It's exactly what I needed.
That saves a lot of my eye straining..
Thank you @fredx181