---
name: "shape_patch"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "shapetools"
version: "1.4pl6-15+b1"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/shape_patch"
---

# shape\_patch(1)

shapeTools RMS generate patch file

## NAME

shape\_patch - shapeTools RMS generate patch file

## SYNOPSIS

**shape patch OLDRELEASE=\<name1\> NEWRELEASE=\<name2\> \[PATCHFILE=\<filename\>\]**

## DESCRIPTION

*Shape patch* **generates a patch file for updating** *$(OLDRELEASE)* **to** *$(NEWRELEASE)***. Both releases are**  **identified by release names associated with the macros OLD-/NEWRELEASE** **on the command line. Valid release names are those generated by any** **of the shape\_RMS (pre-)release building procedures (see** **[shape\_releas(1)](/shape_releas/1.md)). Performing 'vl -all' with the release** **identification file as argument usually gives a good overview of** **existing release names.** **Patch generation happens recursively over all subsystems being part of** **the current node. Hence, triggering** *shape patch* **from the top** **node of the central source repository creates a patch file for the** **whole system.**

**The output of shape patch is stored in a file** **named** *\<name1\>+2+\<name2\>.pat***. When the PATCHFILE macro is set on** **the command line, $(PATCHFILE) is taken as output file name instead.** **Defining PATCHFILE=- on the command line causes the patch to be** **written to standard output.** **Note: For patches invoking multiple subsystems, $(PATCHFILE)** **should be set to an absolute pathname. If not, the patch generation** **procedure will leave an equally named patch file for each visited** **subsystem.**

**The patch is constructed using the** *[vdiff(1)](/vdiff/1.md)* **command and can** **be applied to any installation of $(OLDRELEASE) by invoking** *[patch(1)](/patch/1.md)***.**

## INCONVENIENCES

**On System V machines, the generated patch file name will almost** **certainly exceed the 14 characters filename length limit.**

## SEE ALSO

**[shape\_releas(1)](/shape_releas/1.md), [vdiff(1)](/vdiff/1.md), [patch(1)](/patch/1.md)**

## FILES

**\<name1\>+2+\<name2\>.pat**