diff

/dif/ 1. A change listing, especially giving differences

between (and additions to) different versions of a piece of

source code or documentation (the term is often used in the

plural "diffs"). "Send me your diffs for the Jargon File!"

Compare vdiff.

2. Specifically, such a listing produced by the diff Unix

command, especially when used as input to the patch utility

(which actually performs the modifications). This is a common

method of distributing patches and source updates.

3. To compare (whether or not by use of automated tools on

machine-readable files).

See also vdiff, mod.

[Jargon File]

(1995-02-10)