How can I check whether two sample files contain the same text?

Name both paths explicitly and pass the same encoding to each read. For example, assuming the files are sample_a.txt and sample_b.txt in the current working directory:

from pathlib import Path

first = Path("sample_a.txt")
second = Path("sample_b.txt")

text_a = first.read_text(encoding="utf-8", newline=None)
text_b = second.read_text(encoding="utf-8", newline=None)

if text_a == text_b:
    print("The decoded text is equal.")
else:
    print("The decoded text differs.")

This compares the two strings produced by reading the selected paths, not the files in every possible sense. Path.read_text() decodes the file using the chosen encoding, and its newline parameter controls newline handling. Here, None is an explicit choice for that parameter. The comparison therefore answers whether the resulting strings are equal under those choices. [S1]

Newline handling matters because it affects how text is read. Path.read_text() accepts a newline parameter to control that handling, so the setting is part of what you are choosing to compare. The Python documentation describes the parameter’s purpose; whether two particular files compare equal depends on their contents and the selected settings. [S1]

For a useful first check, read both files with the same explicit encoding and the same newline value, as in the example. If the decoded strings differ, inspect the difference before deciding whether it matters for your task. Do not describe the result as “the files are identical”: it means only that the strings returned by those reads are equal.

For text comparison, keep read_text() and state the decoding and newline choices. For byte-for-byte comparison, use read_bytes() on both paths instead. The Python documentation describes read_bytes() as returning bytes; comparing those results checks the original byte sequences rather than strings after decoding and newline handling. [S1]

from pathlib import Path

first = Path("sample_a.txt")
second = Path("sample_b.txt")

same_bytes = first.read_bytes() == second.read_bytes()
print("Same bytes:", same_bytes)

Treat the filenames as placeholders: replace them with the two files you intend to compare. The byte check does not explain *why* files differ; it only returns whether the byte sequences match.

First confirm that both paths point to the intended files. Then check that you used the same explicit encoding and newline setting for both text reads. If decoding fails, do not silently switch encodings and treat the new result as definitive: the comparison depends on the decoding choice, and decoding behavior and errors depend on the chosen parameters. [S1]

A clear report is: “The decoded strings matched using UTF-8 and newline=None,” or “The byte sequences matched.” If they do not match, say which comparison you performed and avoid guessing at the cause. A text comparison does not establish byte identity, while a byte comparison does not explain a text-level difference.