Comparing and Merging Files
2.5.3 RCS Scripts
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 `-n' or
`--rcs' option to select this output format. It is like the
forward ed format (see section 2.5.2 Forward ed Scripts), 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' (see section 2.1 Two Sample Input Files, 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!
|
