gendiff - Online in the Cloud

PROGRAM:

NAME

gendiff - utility to aid in error-free diff file generation

SYNOPSIS

gendiff <directory> <diff-extension>

DESCRIPTION

gendiff is a rather simple script which aids in generating a diff file from a single
directory. It takes a directory name and a "diff-extension" as its only arguments. The
diff extension should be a unique sequence of characters added to the end of all original,
unmodified files. The output of the program is a diff file which may be applied with the
patch program to recreate the changes.

The usual sequence of events for creating a diff is to create two identical directories,
make changes in one directory, and then use the diff utility to create a list of
differences between the two. Using gendiff eliminates the need for the extra, original
and unmodified directory copy. Instead, only the individual files that are modified need
to be saved.

Before editing a file, copy the file, appending the extension you have chosen to the
filename. I.e. if you were going to edit somefile.cpp and have chosen the extension
"fix", copy it to somefile.cpp.fix before editing it. Then edit the first copy
(somefile.cpp).

After editing all the files you need to edit in this fashion, enter the directory one
level above where your source code resides, and then type

$ gendiff somedirectory .fix > mydiff-fix.patch

You should redirect the output to a file (as illustrated) unless you want to see the
results on stdout.

Use gendiff online using onworks.net services