diffutils: RCS
2.5.3 RCS Scripts
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The RCS output format is designed specifically for use by the Revision
Control System, which is a set of free programs used for organizing
different versions and systems of files. Use the '--rcs' ('-n') option
to select this output format. It is like the forward 'ed' format (⇒
Forward ed), but it can represent arbitrary changes to the contents of
a file because it avoids the forward 'ed' format's problems with lines
consisting of a single period and with incomplete lines. Instead of
ending text sections with a line consisting of a single period, each
command specifies the number of lines it affects; a combination of the
'a' and 'd' commands are used instead of 'c'. Also, if the second file
ends in a changed incomplete line, then the output also ends in an
incomplete line.
Here is the output of 'diff -n lao tzu' (⇒Sample diff Input,
for the complete contents of the two files):
d1 2
d4 1
a4 2
The named is the mother of all things.
a11 3
They both may be called deep and profound.
Deeper and more profound,
The door of all subtleties!
Info Catalog
diffutils: Forward ed
diffutils: Scripts