I have a base Linux system installed. I want to run a very large and complex third-party script that will make many changes to various parts of the entire system. These changes will include adding new files, modifying existing files, and removing existing files. Once the script is complete, I will have a modified system. The modifications will be broad and substantial.
I want some sort of report on all the files that have been added, removed, or modified and a line-by-line analysis of the modifications. Something like the output of a file diff tool would be great.
I assume I need to make some sort of snapshot before running the script and a second snapshot after. I assume then I would feed those snapshots into some sort of diff or diff-like tool.
Does anyone know what tools to use and how to diff an entire system?
I am using Virtualbox which does have a differencing images feature, though I don't know if I can adapt it to this purpose. Moreover, I'd prefer a more generic solution if possible.
rsync
to make a snapshot and another run after the modifications to generate a report of modified files. The diffing part would probably be harder.