GNU patch

GNU patch

GNU patch is an open-source utility for applying patches to text files. It allows users to modify source code files by applying differences files, also known as patches, which contain the changes between two versions of a file.
Development Version Control
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GNU patch alternatives ➤

GNU patch: Open-Source Patch Utility

A free and open-source tool for applying patches to text files, allowing users to modify source code files with ease.

What is GNU patch?

GNU patch is an open source command line utility that allows users to modify text files, such as source code, by applying patches. Patches contain the differences between two versions of a file and are usually generated by the diff utility. By applying patches with GNU patch, users can upgrade software, port changes across versions, and distribute fixes and customizations without distributing entire files.

Some key features and capabilities of GNU patch include:

  • Applying both unified and context style patches for modifying text files
  • Support for patching entire directory trees
  • Options for testing patch application, backing up original files, ignoring white space changes, and specifying alternate file locations
  • Can be used to distribute upgrades, customizations and ports across different software releases and forks
  • Widely used in open source software projects for distributing patches and changes across development teams

Overall, GNU patch is an essential tool for modifying and upgrading text files via patch application. It helps developers collaborate, share changes, and customize software more efficiently without distributing entire code bases.

GNU patch Features

Features

  1. Applies patches to text files
  2. Allows modifying source code files by applying differences between file versions
  3. Supports unified diff format
  4. Can revert patches by applying them in reverse
  5. Handles file renaming and deletion when applying patches

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Widely used and well-supported

Handles complex changes across directories

Integrates with version control systems

Portable across operating systems

Cons

Not intuitive for beginners

Manual conflict resolution sometimes required

Does not track or manage patches itself

Official Links

Official Website
https://savannah.gnu.org/projects/patch/

The Best GNU patch Alternatives

Top Development and Version Control and other similar apps like GNU patch

Here are some alternatives to GNU patch:

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GNU Savannah
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GitHuman
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Radicle
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GNU Savannah

GNU Savannah is a free web-based project hosting platform created and maintained by the Free Software Foundation. It was launched in 1999 to provide a central place for developers and users of free software to collaborate on open source projects.Some key features of GNU Savannah include:Version control using Git, CVS,...
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GitHuman

GitHuman is an AI-powered Git and GitHub assistant designed to help developers be more productive. It integrates with your development environment to provide useful suggestions, automation, and insights by understanding context about your code.Some key features of GitHuman include:Automated branch naming and pull request titles based on code changesAutomatic issue...
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Radicle

Radicle is a decentralized code collaboration network and protocol built for the needs of software developers. It enables developers to collaborate on code without relying on trusted intermediaries like GitHub or GitLab.Radicle was created to provide an alternative network for source code collaboration that preserves user freedom and privacy. On...
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