patch: patch (apply a diff file to an original file or files) patch: patch: Patch is a utility used to apply diffs (or patches) to files, which patch: are usually source code. patch: patch: Larry Wall wrote the original version of patch. Paul Eggert removed patch: patch's arbitrary limits; added support for binary files, setting patch: file times, and deleting files; and made it conform better to POSIX. patch: Other contributors include Wayne Davison, who added unidiff support, patch: and David MacKenzie, who added configuration and backup support. patch: