Unix Patch Command

A Unix Patch Command is a unix command that applies diff files to original text files for file update tasks.

• AKA: patch Command, Unix Patch Utility, Traditional Patch Command, POSIX Patch Command.
• Context:
  • It can typically process Unified Diff Format, Context Diff Format, and Normal Diff Format.
  • It can typically handle Fuzzy Matching when line numbers don't match exactly.
  • It can typically create Backup Files before applying patch changes.
  • It can often detect Reversed Patches and prompt for user confirmation.
  • It can often skip Already-Applied Patches to prevent duplicate application.
  • It can often operate in Batch Mode for automated patching.
  • It can support Multi-File Patches through patch file parsing.
  • It can range from being a Strict Patch Mode to being a Lenient Patch Mode, depending on its matching tolerance.
  • It can range from being a Interactive Patch Mode to being a Silent Patch Mode, depending on its user interaction level.
  • It can range from being a Forward Patch Application to being a Reverse Patch Application, depending on its patch direction.
  • It can range from being a Dry Run Patch Mode to being a Actual Patch Mode, depending on its execution mode.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Basic Unix Patch Usage, such as:
    • `patch < file.patch` for standard patch application.
    • `patch -p1 < file.patch` for strip directory level.
  • Advanced Unix Patch Usage, such as:
    • `patch -R` for reverse patch application.
    • `patch --dry-run` for patch simulation.
  • Automated Patch Usage, such as:
    • `patch -f` for force patch application.
    • `patch -s` for silent patch operation.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Diff Command, which generates file differences rather than applying patches.
  • Sed Command, which performs text transformations rather than applying structured patches.
  • Git Apply Command, which is version-control-specific rather than general-purpose.
• See: Apply Patch Tool, Software Patch, Diff Command, Unix Command, Patch File Format, Software Maintenance Tool, Text Processing Tool, File Update Process, Unix Utility.

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