• A representation showing the specific changes made between two versions of a file or set of files in version control systems, displaying added, deleted, and modified lines in a structured format. A diff typically uses visual indicators such as plus signs (“+”) for additions, minus signs (“–”) for deletions, and contextual lines to show where changes occurred within the file structure. Diffs are fundamental to version control workflows, enabling developers to review changes before committing, understand code evolution over time, and facilitate code reviews and merge operations.

1. Related terms: Stacked diff · Merging · Lines of code · Version control
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