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Forward `ed' Scripts
--------------------

   `diff' can produce output that is like an `ed' script, but with
hunks in forward (front to back) order.  The format of the commands is
also changed slightly: command characters precede the lines they
modify, spaces separate line numbers in ranges, and no attempt is made
to disambiguate hunk lines consisting of a single period.  Like `ed'
format, forward `ed' format cannot represent incomplete lines.

   Forward `ed' format is not very useful, because neither `ed' nor
`patch' can apply diffs in this format.  It exists mainly for
compatibility with older versions of `diff'.  Use the `-f' or
`--forward-ed' option to select it.