# std::filesystem::path::compare

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< cpp‎ | filesystem‎ | path

int compare( const path& p ) const noexcept; | (1) | (since C++17)
int compare( const string_type& str ) const; int compare( std::basic_string_view<value_type> str ) const; | (2) | (since C++17)
int compare( const value_type* s ) const; | (3) | (since C++17)

Compares the lexical representations of the path and another path.

1) If root_name().native().compare(p.root_name().native()) is nonzero, returns that value.
Otherwise, if has_root_directory() != p.has_root_directory(), returns a value less than zero if `has_root_directory()` is false and a value greater than zero otherwise.
Otherwise returns a value less than, equal to or greater than 0 if the relative portion of the path (`relative_path()`) is respectively lexicographically less than, equal to or greater than the relative portion of `p` (p.relative_path()). Comparison is performed element-wise, as if by iterating both paths from `begin()` to `end()` and comparing the result of `native()` for each element.
2) Equivalent to compare(path(str)).
3) Equivalent to compare(path(s)).

### Parameters

p | - | a path to compare to
str | - | a string or string view representing path to compare to
s | - | a null-terminated string representing path to compare to

### Return value

A value less than 0 if the path is lexicographically less than the given path.

A value equal to 0 if the path is lexicographically equal to the given path.

A value greater than 0 if the path is lexicographically greater than the given path.

### Exceptions

2-3) (none)

### Notes

For two-way comparisons, binary operators may be more suitable.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <iostream>
    #include <filesystem>
    namespace fs = std::filesystem;
    void demo(int rc, fs::path p1, fs::path p2) {
        if(rc < 0) std::cout << p1 << " < " << p2 << '\n';
        else if(rc > 0) std::cout << p1 << " > "  << p2 << '\n';
        else if(rc == 0) std::cout << p1 << "==" << p2 << '\n';
    }
    int main() {
        fs::path p1 = "/a/b/"; // as if "a/b/." for lexicographical iteration
        fs::path p2 = "/a/b/#";
        demo(p1.compare(p2), p1, p2);
        demo(p1.compare("a/b/_"), p1, "a/b/_");
    }

Output:

    "/a/b/" > "/a/b/#"
    "/a/b/" < "a/b/_"

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
LWG 2936 | C++17 | compared all path elements directly | root name and root directory handled separately

### See also

operator==operator!=operator<operator<=operator>operator>= | lexicographically compares two paths (function)

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