Re: Patches vs complete tarballs....

Richard Waltham (dormouse@farsrobt.demon.co.uk)
Wed, 12 Aug 1998 20:04:40 +0100 (BST)

John Cochran wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I've just recently started using Linux and a recent thread on this
> mailing list focused on the problem of people downloading complete
> kernel sources instead of just the patches to upgrade from earlier
> versions of the kernel. I myself am guilty of this practice.
>
> However, in my defense, I have to point out a problem with the patches...
>
> THEY'RE NOT CORRECT
>
> Yes, I'm claiming that the patches aren't correct. The reason I'm
> claiming that is because whenever I use a patch, I will get FAILURES
> on some files when applying the patch to an unaltered, unmodified
> copy of the kernel source.
>
> The method I'm using to apply the patches is as follows:
>
> 1. uncompress and untar the original unaltered source into a directory.
> 2. cd into said directory
> 3. patch -p2 < patch_file > results
> 4. examine results
>

read /usr/src/linux/README and man patch.

> *most* of the files are patched correctly. However, I average about 2 to
> 3 files per kernel version that fail. If any of you are interested, try to
> patch
>
> 2.0.34 -> 2.0.35 Has FAILURES
> 2.1.109 -> 2.1.110 Has FAILURES
> 2.1.110 -> 2.1.111 Has FAILURES
> 2.1.111 -> 2.1.112 Has FAILURES
> 2.1.112 -> 2.1.113 Has FAILURES
> 2.1.113 -> 2.1.114 Only source that patched without failures.
> 2.1.114 -> 2.1.115 Has FAILURES
>
> Now, I'm willing to admit that I might be doing something wrong. However,
> if you expect to get the average user to trust using patches to upgrade
> their kernel, then it is imperative that the patches apply completely and
> without any errors when applied over an unaltered version of the source.
>
> Trust me, I'ld much rather use patches vs. complete tarballs. Downloading
> 250 K is *much* faster than 9 meg, but unless I can apply the patches error
> free, I'll continue to download compete kernels.
>
> John Cochran
>
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-- 
 Richard Waltham   |              Work: richard@digitalinterface.demon.co.uk
   At home in      |              Home:        dormouse@farsrobt.demon.co.uk
 Southampton UK    |                              100421.1276@compuserve.com


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