diff

diff
 /dif/, n.

   1. A change listing, especially giving differences between (and
   additions to) source code or documents (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(1) command, esp.
   when used as specification input to the patch(1) utility (which can
   actually perform the modifications; see {patch}). This is a common
   method of distributing patches and source updates in the Unix/C world.

   3. v. To compare (whether or not by use of automated tools on
   machine-readable files); see also {vdiff}, {mod}.
    

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)