Engineering English
Diff
Software Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A diff is a textual representation of the differences between two versions of a file or directory in a version control system. Engineers use diffs to review changes made in a commit or between branches.
Example in context
“Before merging the feature branch, the senior engineer reviewed the diff to ensure no unintended changes were introduced.”
“Özellik dalını birleştirmeden önce, kıdemli mühendis istenmeyen değişikliklerin girilmediğinden emin olmak için farkı inceledi.”
Where engineers use it
The diff command is fundamental in code review and debugging. Engineers run `git diff` to see unstaged changes or compare branches. Understanding diffs helps catch errors, merge conflicts, and verify that only intended modifications are committed.
Synonyms: difference, git diff
Antonyms: patch, unified diff
Practice: can you use “Diff” at work?
You are reviewing a colleague's pull request. You suspect an unrelated file was modified by accident. Which command or tool would you use to see the exact lines changed in that file compared to the base branch?
Show a model answer
“Run the diff command to check what changed in the last commit.”
“Diff” in 21 languages
| English | Diff |
|---|---|
| Turkish | fark |
| French | diff |
| German | Diff |
| Spanish | diff |
| Chinese | 差异 |
| Arabic | الفرق |
| Portuguese | diff |
| Russian | дифф |
| Japanese | 差分 |
| Italian | diff |
| Vietnamese | diff |
| Hindi | डिफ |
| Thai | ดิฟ |
| Indonesian | diff |
| Korean | 차이 |
| Bengali | ডিফ |
| Dutch | diff |
| Swedish | diff |
| Finnish | diff |
| Ukrainian | диф |
Frequently asked questions
What does Diff mean in engineering?
A diff is a textual representation of the differences between two versions of a file or directory in a version control system. Engineers use diffs to review changes made in a commit or between branches. In Software Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Diff?
Diff is pronounced /dɪf/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Diff used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Before merging the feature branch, the senior engineer reviewed the diff to ensure no unintended changes were introduced.”
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