If the two compared files are identical, cmp will exit with a zero exit status. If the compared files are not identical, cmp will exit with a status of 1.
If no options are given, cmp will return (on the standard output), the byte number and line number where the first difference is encountered.
If one file is an initial subsequence of the other, a message will also be returned on the standard error indicating that EOF was reached in the shorter of the two file.
skip1 and skip2 are optional byte offsets into file1 and file2, respectively, that determine where the file comparison will begin. Offsets may be given in decimal, octal, or hexadecimal form. Indicate octal notation with a leading '0', and hexadecimal notation with a leading '0x'.
This program is free and open software. You may use, modify, distribute, and sell this program (and any modified variants) in any way you wish, provided you do not restrict others from doing the same.