@need 3200

@node Arbitrary Patching with delta-patch
@chapter Arbitrary Patching with delta-patch

@geindex delta-patch



A general purpose, though low-level tool for merging is the
@code{delta-patch} command:

@example
@group
        % larch delta-patch FROM TO UPON OUTPUT-DIR
@end group
@group
@end group
@end example

@noindent
computes a patch set from @code{FROM} to @code{TO} and applies that patch set to
@code{UPON} storing the result in @code{OUTPUT-DIR}.


The arguments @code{FROM}, @code{TO}, and @code{UPON} can be the names of (any)
revision, or the directory names of project trees.


If @code{UPON} is a project tree, you can modify that tree directly with
the @code{--in-place} option:

@example
@group
        % larch delta-patch --in-place FROM TO UPON
@end group
@group
@end group
@end example

@strong{Note:} You pretty much have to know what you're doing to use this
command.  Normally, you should use @code{star-merge}, @code{update} or @code{replay}.




