Patch

patch is used with the output of diff, the so-called context diffs between two items, to make selective changes. A typical use of patch is to update your copy of a program's source code. The code has changed very little, so it makes more sense to download only context diffs, or patches, rather than downloading the entire distribution. In this case, the diffs cover entire directories, not just individual files.

Almost all context diffs are applied to a subdirectory. The syntax is then patch -pnumber < patch_name. (That is, the file is used as redirected input to the command.) The number depends on how deep the subdirectory lies below the current directory. A patch will generally include instructions for where to place it and what number to use.

Recommended Links

Patch (computing) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

patchutils

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Last modified: August 08, 2009