Comparing files in VS Code
VS Code is a great editor with a lot of useful features, like being able to compare two random files for differences. Let's see how.
I recently found myself in need of comparing two versions of an XML file for a merge, something that seems to frequently confuse git. Even better, this particular file was generated as a minified file, which really confuses git. Fortunately, VS Code helps with formatting and comparing files, but let's stick to comparing.
Files that are saved in the same folder
If the files are saved to disk in the same folder, open it. There's a blue button on the left, and an option in the File menu:
Then select both files, right click, and choose "Compare Selected":
We get a nice little side-by-side that collapses into an inline comparison if the window's too small:
Files that aren't in the same folder.. or aren't saved at all
Whether your files are saved to disk or not, the first thing you'll need to do is show all open editors, something that doesn't seem to be displayed by default and is hidden in the "three dots" menu.
Click the menu, select "Open Editors", and then select both files and choose the Compare option from the context menu again:
This works just as well for files that aren't saved too:
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