Difftool is not launching beyond compare using Git bash on Windows

Question

I have read all related answers but still unable to launch beyond compare 4 from my git bash 2.37.1 I have followed standard instruction from beyond compare website as well but its not helping, whenever i try to launch difftool it just return without launching bc ...any idea ?

https://www.scootersoftware.com/support.php?zz=kb_vcs As per beyond compare instructions

git config --global diff.tool bc
git config --global difftool.bc.path "c:/Program Files/Beyond Compare 4/bcomp.exe"

Global config file looks like this

[diff]
    tool = bc
[difftool "bc"]
    path = c:/Program Files/Beyond Compare 4/bcomp.exe

Answer 1

So basically if you have tried everything and you are pretty sure that your global config file and PATH on the windows machine also looks good. then try following as given below, as it may be just a beginner mistake like me, you also might dont know that simple difftool command only shows the file differences between the working directory on your disc and the staged version. If everything is already staged then difftool wont be launched as there are no differences to show.

$ echo test_staged >file_test.txt # File modified
$ git add file_test.txt           # Modified file got staged
$ git difftool file_test.txt      # No difference as changes are staged, use file_test.txt if you multiple files in the folder
 or
 $ git difftool                   # if file_test.txt is the only file in the folder

$ echo test_local_copy_without_staged > file_test.txt  # Text file unstaged on your local disc

$ git difftool   # Now you can see the difference between staged and local disc copy

warning: in the working copy of 'file_test.txt', LF will be replaced by CRLF the next time Git touches it

Viewing (1/1): 'file_test.txt'
Launch 'bc' [Y/n]? Y

and yes thats it, now you should see the differences in your beyond compare tool !