How to Use JSDiff - Complete Guide
Introduction
JSDiff is a powerful online tool for comparing JSON files, JavaScript code, and text documents. This guide will walk you through all the features and help you get the most out of the tool.
Quick Start
- Open JSDiff: Navigate to https://jsdiff.com/
- Select Mode: Choose the comparison mode that best fits your needs (JSON, Lines, Words, Chars, or Patch)
- Enter Content: Paste your original content in the left panel and modified content in the right panel
- View Results: The differences will be automatically highlighted in the result panel
Comparison Modes
JSON Mode
Best for: Comparing JSON objects and structured data
JSON mode performs semantic comparison, meaning it compares the actual data structure rather than just the text. Property order doesn't matter - two JSON objects with the same properties in different orders will be considered identical.
Example use cases:
- Comparing API responses
- Checking configuration file changes
- Validating JSON transformations
Lines Mode
Best for: Comparing code files, scripts, and text documents
Lines mode compares text line by line, making it perfect for code reviews and document comparison.
Example use cases:
- Code review
- Comparing script versions
- Document revision tracking
Words Mode
Best for: Comparing text documents and prose
Words mode compares text word by word, ignoring whitespace differences.
Chars Mode
Best for: Precise character-level comparison
Chars mode compares text character by character, showing the most detailed differences.
Patch Mode
Best for: Generating unified diff patches
Patch mode generates a unified diff format that can be used with patch tools or version control systems.
Understanding the Results
- Green highlighting: Content that was added in the modified version
- Red highlighting: Content that was removed from the original version
- No highlighting: Content that remains unchanged
Tips and Best Practices
- Use JSON mode for structured data comparison - it's more accurate than text-based modes
- For large files, consider using Lines mode for better performance
- All processing happens locally - your data never leaves your browser
- The tool works offline after the initial page load
- You can copy results directly from the result panel
Ready to Get Started?
Now that you know how to use JSDiff, try it out and see how easy it is to compare your files!
Have questions? Check out our FAQ page or visit our GitHub repository.