splitdiff

splitdiff [options] input_diff_file output_directory

input_diff_file
    The unified diff file to be split.

output_directory
    The directory where the individual patch files will be created.

-pnum
    Sets the path strip count. Similar to the patch -p option. Defaults to 0.

-n
    Do not remove the header of the patches.

-z
    Compress each patch using gzip.

-h
    Show help.

The splitdiff command is a utility for splitting a unified diff file (created by commands like diff -u or git diff) into multiple individual patch files. This is particularly useful when dealing with large diffs that involve changes to many files. Splitting the diff allows for easier review and application of changes incrementally. The command typically analyzes the diff's header information to determine the boundaries of each file change and creates separate files containing only the diff for that specific file. This aids in managing and applying changes selectively, simplifying the process of merging or applying subsets of changes.

While not a standard core utility, splitdiff is often included in various development toolchains or can be readily created using scripting languages like Python or Perl by users who need to process very large diff outputs into more discrete chunks. It promotes a more modular and reviewable workflow for source code modifications.

splitdiff is not a standard Linux command and its availability might depend on the specific distribution and whether it has been installed as part of a development package or custom script. Error handling capabilities might vary.

Output files are often named after the files affected in the unified diff, usually using sanitized versions of the original file paths. For example, `src/file.c` might generate a patch file named `src_file.c.patch`.

Often implemented using scripting languages (e.g., Python, Perl, or even shell scripts) due to the text processing nature of the task. Custom implementations can be easily created to tailor behavior to specific needs.