Subtracting numbers in two different txt files

[Arjani]

I have two .txt files with a bunch of numbers in them, below each other, like this:

File 1:

3
4
5

File 2:

1
2
1


Now I want to subtract the numbers in file 2 from the numbers in file 1 and get the results in a new .txt file:

File 3:

2
2
4

Very simple. I was going to do it in Excel, but I don't have that right now. Does anyone know another easy way?

 

[Borek]

Use OpenOffice then. Or write Python script. Or post your problem giving enough information about OS and tools available to get a meaningful answer.

 

[NemoReally]

If you've got Windows, try VBScript. Read the 2 files into an array, add the elements of the arrays and write the results back out. Here's a link showing how to read and write files: http://easyprograming.com/index.php/vb-script/13-open-an-existing-text-file-in-vb-script

 

[MATLABdude]

You could download Open or Libre Office, or sign up for a GMail account and use the spreadsheet Google Docs application.

 

[LudusRex]

As a scientist, there are a few different approaches you could take to subtracting numbers in two different .txt files. One option would be to use a programming language such as Python or R to read in the numbers from the files and perform the subtraction operation. This would allow for a more automated and efficient process, especially if you have a large amount of data in your files.

Another approach could be to use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. You could import the data from the .txt files and use the built-in functions to perform the subtraction. This would be a more user-friendly option for those who are not familiar with programming.

If you do not have access to a programming language or spreadsheet program, you could also manually subtract the numbers by hand or use a calculator. However, this may be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially if you have a large amount of data.

Overall, the method you choose will depend on your level of expertise and the amount of data you need to process. Regardless of the approach, it is important to carefully check your results and ensure that the subtraction was performed accurately.