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Options to `patch'
==================
Here is a summary of all of the options that `patch' accepts. Older
versions of `patch' do not accept long-named options or the `-t', `-E',
or `-V' options.
Multiple single-letter options that do not take an argument can be
combined into a single command line argument (with only one dash).
Brackets ([ and ]) indicate that an option takes an optional argument.
`-b BACKUP-SUFFIX'
Use BACKUP-SUFFIX as the backup extension instead of `.orig' or
`~'. Backups
`-B BACKUP-PREFIX'
Use BACKUP-PREFIX as a prefix to the backup file name. If this
option is specified, any `-b' option is ignored. Backups
`--batch'
Do not ask any questions. patch Messages
`-c'
`--context'
Interpret the patch file as a context diff. patch Input
`-d DIRECTORY'
`--directory=DIRECTORY'
Makes directory DIRECTORY the current directory for interpreting
both file names in the patch file, and file names given as
arguments to other options. patch Directories
`-D NAME'
Make merged if-then-else output using FORMAT.
If-then-else
`--debug=NUMBER'
Set internal debugging flags. Of interest only to `patch'
patchers.
`-e'
`--ed'
Interpret the patch file as an `ed' script. patch Input
`-E'
Remove output files that are empty after the patches have been
applied. Empty Files
`-f'
Assume that the user knows exactly what he or she is doing, and do
not ask any questions. patch Messages
`-F LINES'
Set the maximum fuzz factor to LINES. Inexact
`--force'
Assume that the user knows exactly what he or she is doing, and do
not ask any questions. patch Messages
`--forward'
Ignore patches that `patch' thinks are reversed or already applied.
See also `-R'. Reversed Patches
`--fuzz=LINES'
Set the maximum fuzz factor to LINES. Inexact
`--help'
Print a summary of the options that `patch' recognizes, then exit.
`--ifdef=NAME'
Make merged if-then-else output using FORMAT.
If-then-else
`--ignore-white-space'
`-l'
Let any sequence of white space in the patch file match any
sequence of white space in the input file.
Changed White Space
`-n'
`--normal'
Interpret the patch file as a normal diff. patch Input
`-N'
Ignore patches that `patch' thinks are reversed or already applied.
See also `-R'. Reversed Patches
`-o OUTPUT-FILE'
`--output=OUTPUT-FILE'
Use OUTPUT-FILE as the output file name. patch Options
`-p[NUMBER]'
Set the file name strip count to NUMBER.
patch Directories
`--prefix=BACKUP-PREFIX'
Use BACKUP-PREFIX as a prefix to the backup file name. If this
option is specified, any `-b' option is ignored. Backups
`--quiet'
Work silently unless an error occurs. patch Messages
`-r REJECT-FILE'
Use REJECT-FILE as the reject file name. Rejects
`-R'
Assume that this patch was created with the old and new files
swapped. Reversed Patches
`--reject-file=REJECT-FILE'
Use REJECT-FILE as the reject file name. Rejects
`--remove-empty-files'
Remove output files that are empty after the patches have been
applied. Empty Files
`--reverse'
Assume that this patch was created with the old and new files
swapped. Reversed Patches
`-s'
Work silently unless an error occurs. patch Messages
`-S'
Ignore this patch from the patch file, but continue looking for
the next patch in the file. Multiple Patches
`--silent'
Work silently unless an error occurs. patch Messages
`--skip'
Ignore this patch from the patch file, but continue looking for
the next patch in the file. Multiple Patches
`--strip[=NUMBER]'
Set the file name strip count to NUMBER.
patch Directories
`--suffix=BACKUP-SUFFIX'
Use BACKUP-SUFFIX as the backup extension instead of `.orig' or
`~'. Backups
`-t'
Do not ask any questions. patch Messages
`-u'
`--unified'
Interpret the patch file as a unified diff. patch Input
`-v'
Output the revision header and patch level of `patch'.
`-V BACKUP-STYLE'
Select the kind of backups to make. Backups
`--version'
Output the revision header and patch level of `patch', then exit.
`--version=control=BACKUP-STYLE'
Select the kind of backups to make. Backups
`-x NUMBER'
Set internal debugging flags. Of interest only to `patch'
patchers.