Trying to compare two text files using python

Question

I have a code in python that creates and compares the content of two text files and tells me when they are different:

data=str(information)
#this creates the first file, the one used as a control group of sorts
f=open("text1.txt", "w+") 
f.write(data)
f.close()

while True: 
#the other file keeps updating, so it's inside a loop 
 data2=str(newinfo)
 f=open("text2.txt", "w+") 
 f.write(data2)
 f.close()
#I'm guessing the error is probably here
 read = str(open("text1.txt", "r"))
 read2 = str(open("text2.txt", "r"))
 if read2 != read:
        Notifica = True
        break

Both data and data2 are the html from a website I'm reading with BeautifulSoup, that part is working. However the program keeps thinking the the two text files are different even when they are exactly the same. I think I'm doing this the wrong way, any help?

Does this answer your question? Compare two different files line by line in python — Lakshan Costa
– Lakshan Costa, Commented Aug 25, 2021 at 15:37

Daniel · Accepted Answer · 2021-08-25 15:51:58Z

1

the open() function returns an object, not the content of the file. you are comparing two references to different file objects. you should read the contents of the file and then compare it. you should do:

read = open("text1.txt", "r").read()
read2 = open("text2.txt", "r").read()

edited Aug 25, 2021 at 15:51

answered Aug 25, 2021 at 15:39

Daniel

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Comments

MDR · Accepted Answer · 2021-08-25 19:40:11Z

0

Since HTML file can contain a Huge number of characters your code can use lot of resources. A good way (might be the most use) is to use MD5 Hash. The MD5 algorithm is deprecated for cryptographic purpose but should be enough for your aim.

edited Aug 25, 2021 at 19:40

MDR

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answered Aug 25, 2021 at 15:52

Rbruno

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