1    /ABSOLUTE

    Patches a file at absolute virtual addresses. This is the
    default for Alpha and Integrity server systems. The /ABSOLUTE
    function allows a user to patch any file (not just image files)
    at absolute virtual addresses relative to the beginning of the
    file. This feature allows replacement of existing data with new
    data of the same length. If the data is smaller than that of
    the original data, PATCH uses the appropriate fill character for
    the mode in use. For example, if the current mode is instruction
    mode, a NOP is used for fill; if it is data (numeric or ASCII)
    mode, a NULL is used for fill. Any PATCH operation that results
    in a data replacement longer than the length of the original
    data generates an error message and terminates the command in
    progress; either the PATCH or DCL prompt is then displayed,
    whichever is appropriate.

    Also, note that there is no default patch area, and none will be
    created, because of the tendency to corrupt a file. Patch area is
    meaningless in other than an image file.

    If you patch a file in absolute mode, remember that there are no
    symbols available to assist you in locating data locations. You
    must exercise great care to ascertain that the correct locations
    are modified.

    Most PATCH commands will work in their normal fashion. However,
    only REPLACE and DEPOSIT should be used for write operations;
    other commands are acceptable for read operations. Commands that
    attempt to expand the file, such as ALIGN and INSERT, should
    be avoided because they will probably corrupt the file. (These
    commands will be trapped by PATCH and an error message will be
    issued indicating that the replacement data must not exceed the
    length of the original data.)

    File attributes are propagated from the original input file to
    the output file. These include ALQ, TYPE, MRS, RAT, RFM, and RAC.

2    /JOURNAL

       /JOURNAL[=filespec]

    Indicates an alternate journal file specification. By default,
    PATCH creates a journal file with a file specification that
    consists of the current defaults. Use the /JOURNAL qualifier when
    you want to specify an alternate file specification. If you omit
    fields in the file specification, PATCH supplies the following
    default values:

    Filespec Field              Default Value

    device and directory        defaults of current process
    file name                   name of input image file
    file type                   JNL
    version                     1

    Subsequent PATCH sessions append information to the journal file,
    rather than create a new version of this file.

    The asterisk (*) and the percent sign (%) wildcard characters are
    not allowed in the file specification.

3    /NEW_VERSION

       /NEW_VERSION (default)
       /NONEW_VERSION

    Controls whether a new version of the patched file is created
    or the contents of the existing file are modified in place. The
    /NEW_VERSION qualifier is used in conjunction with the /ABSOLUTE
    qualifier to control whether a new version of the patched file
    is created or the contents of the existing file are modified
    in place. /NEW_VERSION is the default. If /NONEW_VERSION is
    selected, the PATCH command UPDATE will act as a checkpoint
    operation, that is, all modifications made to the file are
    written back to the file instead of waiting until image exit.
    If /ABSOLUTE is not specified with /NONEW_VERSION, /NONEW_VERSION
    is ignored, that is, a new version of the file will be created.
    /NONEW_VERSION will need to be used when patching large data
    files when there is not enough disk space to create a new version
    of the patched file.

                                   NOTE

       If /NEW_VERSION is specified, the file will be overwritten.
       No attempt on the part of the user, including pressing
       Ctrl/Y, will prevent this result. Therefore, you should
       have a back up copy of the file before making any attempt to
       patch it.

       PATCH will always issue an informational message at image
       exit, indicating that the file is being overwritten.

4    /OUTPUT

       /OUTPUT[=filespec]

    Indicates the output image file specification. By default, PATCH
    creates an output file with a file specification that consists of
    the current defaults. Use the /OUTPUT qualifier when you want to
    specify an alternate file specification.

    If you omit fields in the file specification, PATCH supplies the
    following default values:

    Field                       Default Value

    device and directory        defaults of current process

    file name                   name of input image file

    file type                   .EXE

    version                     one greater than the most recent copy
                                of the input image file

    The output image file is created only when you issue the PATCH
    command UPDATE at the end of the PATCH session. You can issue
    multiple UPDATE commands in a single session. The first UPDATE
    command creates the output image file; subsequent UPDATE commands
    overwrite this file.

    The asterisk (*)  and the percent sign (%) wildcard characters
    are not allowed in the file specification.

5    /VOLUME

       /VOLUME[=n]

    Requests that the output file be placed on a specified relative
    volume number of a multivolume set. If you specify /VOLUME
    without a number, the number defaults to the relative volume
    number of the input image file.

    If the /VOLUME qualifier is not specified, the file is placed in
    an arbitrary position within the multivolume set.