How to compare binary files to check if they are the same?

Question

What is the easiest way (using a graphical tool or command line on Ubuntu Linux) to know if two binary files are the same or not (except for the time stamps)? I do not need

Answer 1

My favourite ones using xxd hex-dumper from the vim package :

1) using vimdiff (part of vim)

#!/bin/bash
FILE1="$1"
FILE2="$2"
vimdiff <( xxd "$FILE1" ) <( xxd "$FILE2" )

2) using diff

#!/bin/bash
FILE1=$1
FILE2=$2
diff -W 140 -y <( xxd $FILE1 ) <( xxd $FILE2 ) | colordiff | less -R -p '  \|  '