Bindiff Overview

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Bindiff.exe: Binary File Difference Finder

This command-line tool shows the differences between two binaries. BinDiff performs the following types of compares:

  • A compare between two binary files that excludes time stamp differences. This is the default comparison.

  • A compare between two binary files that excludes both time stamp and version information.

  • A straight compare between two binary files that does not exclude time stamp or version information. This can be used to verify a tree copy or a CD burn.

  • A compare between the files in one directory and the files in a separate directory.

Note

  • If you want to compare two ASCII text files, see the Windiff Overview Support Tool.

Corresponding UI

There is no corresponding user interface for this tool.

Concepts

Application code is compiled into files that use binary format, and large applications are made up of a number of binary files. Over the programming life of that application, developers, testers, or writers might want to know what files, if any, have changed between the current and previous builds. While sometimes looking at the size of the file alerts the interested party to a change, it is also possible that an executable file could have had changes made to it, without the overall size of the file reflecting such changes. Being able to find files that have changed helps testers and writers direct their attention efficiently to the affected application areas. Developers can ensure that the proper versions of updated files are included in the installation directory for the product.

System Requirements

The following are the system requirements for this tool:

  • Windows XP Professional or Windows Server 2003

Note

  • BinDiff can compare either compare 32-bit executables or 64-bit executables.

BinDiff also supports:

  • Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME

  • Windows NT 4.0

File Required

  • Bindiff.exe

See Also

Concepts

Bindiff Remarks
Bindiff Syntax
Bindiff Examples
Alphabetical List of Tools
Iasparse Overview
Bindiff Overview