Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!bu.edu!nntp-read!jc From: jc@raven.bu.edu (James Cameron) Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions Subject: Re: How to patch? Message-ID: Date: 7 Mar 91 14:53:21 GMT References: Sender: news@bu.edu.bu.edu Organization: What do you mean *I* can't do that???? Lines: 59 In-reply-to: kleinj@jacobs.CS.ORST.EDU's message of 7 Mar 91 10:38:51 GMT >>>>> On 7 Mar 91 10:38:51 GMT, kleinj@jacobs.CS.ORST.EDU (Justin the Blue) said: JB> Nntp-Posting-Host: jacobs.cs.orst.edu JB> A somewhat unique problem has cropped up here at the public access machines JB> at Oregon State University. JB> We are a group of people who are learning how to compile utilities for JB> general system use. One of the things we are unfamiliar with is how to JB> implement patches. There are many things that we want to do, however, JB> that involve patches. JB> Here's an example...a personal use I'd like to do. I know of places where JB> the source for the game Ularn is availible. In perusing the shell archives, JB> at one time I noted three patches: two to correct defciencies in the code, JB> and a third (the one I want most for) that converts it to an MSDOS execut- JB> able program. How would I implement the patches? I'm fairly clear on JB> running the compiler and getting through the bugs in the Makefile. JB> Since this may be a bit too "beginner" for this group, I think email JB> to kleinj@jacobs.cs.orst.edu would be most appropriate. I didn't think JB> it was basic enuff for news.newusers.questions, tho'... *I* think this was a good question. I too am fairly new to building programs and from what I understand, most patches are simply diff's of the first file or files compared to the new one. (A diff is a line by line comparison between two or more files which shows the difference in files and where the line numbers are. Take a look at the man page for it.. diff(1) ) Now, this method seems to be to save Bandwith but makes life for the rest of us...(if I am correct about most patches). Anyone care to futher explain it or perhaps correct anything I might have said incorrectly?? JC -- James Cameron - jc@raven.bu.edu Signal Processing and Interpretation Lab, ECS Engineering Dept. Boston University, Boston MA Work: 617 353-2879 Information Technology Boston University, Boston MA work: 617 353-2780 ext. 338 "But to risk we must, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. For the man or woman who risks nothing, has nothing, does nothing, is nothing." (A quote from the eulogy for the late Christa McAuliffe.)