git - Is there a way for me to literally diff 2 branches?

Question

I find sometimes I like to compare 2 branches using a diff tool that knows nothing about git.

So basically, a way to do a git diff that isn't version control aware.

For example, assume I had 2 branches I wanted to compare, master and develop.

What I've been doing is

• checking the repo out into 2 folders
  • myrepo_master -> myrepo checked out to master
  • myrepo_develop -> myrepo checked out to develop
• using some tool, like DiffMerge to compare the 2 folders.

Is there a way to do this with git itself, without having to check the branches out to 2 separate folders?

Answer 1

Maybe just do:

git diff master..develop

Reference: Comparing two branches in Git?