diff; incremental difference
Computing term for the difference between two files, data sets, or versions; often used in version control and data comparison.
Take the diff of the two files.
difference; subtraction; finite differences
Mathematical term for the result of subtraction or the difference between values; also used in the context of finite differences.
差分バックアップは変更された部分だけを保存する。
A differential backup saves only the changed parts.
Calculate the difference between the two numbers.
The difference method is one numerical method for differential equations.
I computed the diff between the new version and the old version.
I calculated the difference between the two values.
The program detected the differences between the two files.
I applied the latest diff to the system.
差異 is a formal, general word for a discrepancy or difference, whereas 差分 is more technical and refers to a quantified, computed difference.
微分 (differential/derivative) and 差分 (finite difference) both appear in calculus and share the kanji 分, but 微分 deals with continuous change while 差分 deals with discrete differences.
積分 (integral) and 差分 (difference) are both core calculus/analysis terms with a similar sound pattern, but they refer to opposite mathematical operations (summation vs. subtraction).
Compound of 差 (difference) and 分 (portion, amount). The term is used in modern technical fields to denote a calculated difference.