patch

Use the output from diff et al. to update a file (GNU)

Syntax:

patch [option]... [origfile [patchfile]]

Runs on:

QNX Neutrino

Options:

Input options:

-p num
--strip= num

Strip num leading components from file names.

-F lines
--fuzz lines

Set the fuzz factor to lines for inexact matching.

-l
--ignore-whitespace

Ignore white space changes between the patch and the input.

-c
--context

Interpret the patch as a context difference.

-e
--ed

Interpret the patch as an ed script.

-n
--normal

Interpret the patch as a normal difference.

-u
--unified

Interpret the patch as a unified difference.

-N
--forward

Ignore patches that appear to be reversed or already applied.

-R
--reverse

Assume patches were created with old and new files swapped.

-i patchfile
--input=patchfile

Read the patch from patchfile instead of stdin.

Output options:

-o file
--output=file

Output the patched files to file.

-r file
--reject-file=file

Output rejects to file.

-D name
--ifdef=name

Make merged if-then-else output using name.

-E
--remove-empty-files

Remove output files that are empty after patching.

-Z
--set-utc

Set the times of patched files, assuming diff uses UTC (GMT).

-T
--set-time

Likewise, assuming local time.

--quoting-style=word

Output file names using quoting style word. The values for word are: literal, shell, shell-always, c, and escape. The default is taken from the QUOTING_STYLE environment variable; if this variable isn't set, patch uses shell.

Backup and version control options:

-b
--backup

Back up the original contents of each file.

--backup-if-mismatch

Back up if the patch doesn't match exactly.

--no-backup-if-mismatch

Back up mismatches only if otherwise requested.

-V style
--version-control=style

Use style version control, where style is simple, numbered, or existing.

-B prefix
--prefix=prefix

Prepend prefix to the names of backup files.

-Y prefix
--basename-prefix=prefix

Prepend prefix to the base names of backup files.

-z suffix
--suffix=suffix

Append suffix to the names of backup files.

-g num
--get=num

Get files from RCS etc., if num is positive; ask if it's negative.

Miscellaneous options:

-t
--batch

Ask no questions; skip bad-Prereq patches; assume reversed.

-f
--force

Like -t, but ignore bad-Prereq patches, and assume unreversed.

-s
--quiet
--silent

Work silently unless an error occurs.

--verbose

Output extra information about the work being done.

--dry-run

Don't actually change any files; just print what would happen.

--posix

Conform to the POSIX standard.

-d dir
--directory=dir

Change the working directory to dir first.

--binary

Read and write data in binary mode (no effect on this platform).

-v
--version

Output version info.

--help

Display some help.

Description:

The patch utility use the output from diff, diff3, and cmp to update a file.

Environment variables:

QUOTING_STYLE

The default quoting style. The possible values are: literal, shell, shell-always, c, and escape. If QUOTING_STYLE isn't set, patch uses shell. You can override this variable by using the --quoting-style option.

Contributing author:

GNU

See also:

cmp, diff, diff3