> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://beyondcompare.gitbook.io/project/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://beyondcompare.gitbook.io/project/git/how-to-look-at-two-old-versions-of-a-file-in-git.md).

# How to compare two commits, both old, in Git

1. View the history of your versions `$ git log`
2. Make sure you have told Git that Beyond Compare is your pal.  See "Git for Linux" in the Scooter [docs](http://www.scootersoftware.com/support.php).
3. Copy and paste the version numbers (the first 6 or 7 digits is enough I think). `$ git difftool 9f41f8f57199eaffd7   03853a83de4d56a2`
4. Blue shows *different-but-unimportant*.  In this case, BC has detected the language (Javascript).  In the settings, we have "comment lines and blank lines are unimportant".  So BC turns the blank lines and comments blue if they are in one file but not another.
5. Red shows *important differences*. All differences are important unless we or the grammar rules label them otherwise (see 4). 

![](/files/-LXyjImQeraDcF-w8OI_)