(diffutils.info)Invoking patch

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15 Invoking 'patch'
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Normally 'patch' is invoked like this:

     patch <PATCHFILE

   The full format for invoking 'patch' is:

     patch OPTIONS... [ORIGFILE [PATCHFILE]]

   You can also specify where to read the patch from with the '-i
PATCHFILE' or '--input=PATCHFILE' option.  If you do not specify
PATCHFILE, or if PATCHFILE is '-', 'patch' reads the patch (that is, the
'diff' output) from the standard input.

   If you do not specify an input file on the command line, 'patch'
tries to intuit from the "leading text" (any text in the patch that
comes before the 'diff' output) which file to edit.  Note: Multiple
Patches.

   By default, 'patch' replaces the original input file with the patched
version, possibly after renaming the original file into a backup file
(Note: Backup Names, for a description of how 'patch' names backup
files).  You can also specify where to put the output with the '-o FILE'
or '--output=FILE' option; however, do not use this option if FILE is
one of the input files.

patch Options

Summary table of options to 'patch'.