Qualifiers

/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.


/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.


/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.


/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.


/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.