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(diff.info)patch Options

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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
     `~'.  Note: 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.  Note: Backups.

`--batch'
     Do not ask any questions.  Note: patch Messages.

`-c'
`--context'
     Interpret the patch file as a context diff.  Note: 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.  Note: patch Directories.

`-D NAME'
     Make merged if-then-else output using FORMAT.  Note:
     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.  Note: patch Input.

`-E'
     Remove output files that are empty after the patches have been
     applied.  Note: Empty Files.

`-f'
     Assume that the user knows exactly what he or she is doing, and do
     not ask any questions.  Note: patch Messages.

`-F LINES'
     Set the maximum fuzz factor to LINES.  Note: Inexact.

`--force'
     Assume that the user knows exactly what he or she is doing, and do
     not ask any questions.  Note: patch Messages.

`--forward'
     Ignore patches that `patch' thinks are reversed or already applied.
     See also `-R'.  Note: Reversed Patches.

`--fuzz=LINES'
     Set the maximum fuzz factor to LINES.  Note: Inexact.

`--help'
     Print a summary of the options that `patch' recognizes, then exit.

`--ifdef=NAME'
     Make merged if-then-else output using FORMAT.  Note:
     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.  Note: Changed White
     Space.

`-n'
`--normal'
     Interpret the patch file as a normal diff.  Note: patch Input.

`-N'
     Ignore patches that `patch' thinks are reversed or already applied.
     See also `-R'.  Note: Reversed Patches.

`-o OUTPUT-FILE'
`--output=OUTPUT-FILE'
     Use OUTPUT-FILE as the output file name.  Note: patch Options.

`-p[NUMBER]'
     Set the file name strip count to NUMBER.  Note: 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.  Note: Backups.

`--quiet'
     Work silently unless an error occurs.  Note: patch Messages.

`-r REJECT-FILE'
     Use REJECT-FILE as the reject file name.  Note: Rejects.

`-R'
     Assume that this patch was created with the old and new files
     swapped.  Note: Reversed Patches.

`--reject-file=REJECT-FILE'
     Use REJECT-FILE as the reject file name.  Note: Rejects.

`--remove-empty-files'
     Remove output files that are empty after the patches have been
     applied.  Note: Empty Files.

`--reverse'
     Assume that this patch was created with the old and new files
     swapped.  Note: Reversed Patches.

`-s'
     Work silently unless an error occurs.  Note: patch Messages.

`-S'
     Ignore this patch from the patch file, but continue looking for
     the next patch in the file.  Note: Multiple Patches.

`--silent'
     Work silently unless an error occurs.  Note: patch Messages.

`--skip'
     Ignore this patch from the patch file, but continue looking for
     the next patch in the file.  Note: Multiple Patches.

`--strip[=NUMBER]'
     Set the file name strip count to NUMBER.  Note: patch
     Directories.

`--suffix=BACKUP-SUFFIX'
     Use BACKUP-SUFFIX as the backup extension instead of `.orig' or
     `~'.  Note: Backups.

`-t'
     Do not ask any questions.  Note: patch Messages.

`-u'
`--unified'
     Interpret the patch file as a unified diff.  Note: patch Input.

`-v'
     Output the revision header and patch level of `patch'.

`-V BACKUP-STYLE'
     Select the kind of backups to make.  Note: Backups.

`--version'
     Output the revision header and patch level of `patch', then exit.

`--version=control=BACKUP-STYLE'
     Select the kind of backups to make.  Note: Backups.

`-x NUMBER'
     Set internal debugging flags.  Of interest only to `patch'
     patchers.