Скачать или смотреть Simplifying Kernel Patching: Automate Yes Commands in Linux with patch

Discover how to automate responses when patching a Linux kernel, tackling common terminal prompts effectively with the `patch` command.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63581320/ asked by the user 'programmer25' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/12728661/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63582248/ provided by the user 'Ian Abbott' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5264491/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Simplifying Kernel Patching: Automate Yes Commands in Linux with patch

Patching a Linux kernel can be a daunting task, especially when faced with persistent questions like y/n? prompts in the terminal. This article provides a clear explanation of the issues you may encounter while running the patch command, as well as effective solutions to bypass these interruptions.

Understanding the Problem

When you attempt to patch a kernel using a command like:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

you might encounter messages indicating that a file already exists, followed by a prompt asking whether you want to proceed. For example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This kind of output can stall your patching process, making it hard to automate updates and integrate changes seamlessly.

Attempted Solutions: The yes Command

To alleviate this annoyance, you might try running the yes command in conjunction with the patch command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Though this seems like a plausible solution, it doesn't work as expected due to how standard input is handled.

Why the yes Command Fails

Conflict in Input Sources: Using yes creates a pipeline that supplies input to patch, but the < operator for file redirection takes precedence. As a result, patch reads its input from the patch file instead of from the yes command.

Direct Terminal Input: The patch command does not read prompt responses from standard input in the way you might expect; instead, it retrieves them from the controlling terminal. Thus, external piping won’t provide the necessary confirmation.

Effective Solutions

To effectively handle the prompts without manual input, you can employ specific options available within the patch command. These options simplify your patching process:

1. Use the -f Option

Syntax: patch -p1 -f < 0001-Linux-3.4.4.patch

Description: The -f or --force option assumes that the patches are not reversed, allowing you to bypass related prompts.

2. Use the -t Option

Syntax: patch -p1 -t < 0001-Linux-3.4.4.patch

Description: The -t or --batch option tells patch to assume that patches that seem reversed really are reversed. This can prevent unwanted inquiries during the patching process.

3. Use the -R Option for Reversed Patches

Syntax: patch -p1 -R < 0001-Linux-3.4.4.patch

Description: If you need to apply a reversed patch, the -R option explicitly indicates this intention.

Conclusion

By understanding how patch handles input and utilizing the appropriate flags, you can significantly streamline the kernel patching process in your Linux environment. Instead of being stalled by repetitive terminal prompts, you can efficiently apply patches and continue your development workflow seamlessly.

Using options like -f, -t, and -R allows you to automate your updates effectively, enabling a smoother coding experience.

Remember, mastering your tools not only enhances your productivity but also reduces the chance for errors during critical updates. Happy patching!