Korjaustiedosto

Korjaustiedosto, often referred to as a patch file, is a file containing data that describes the differences between two versions of a file or set of files. Its primary purpose is to allow for the efficient updating of software or other data without requiring the distribution of the entire modified content. By distributing only the changes, the size of the update can be significantly reduced, saving bandwidth and download time.

Patch files are commonly used in software development for bug fixes, security updates, and the introduction of new features. When a developer wants to release a modification, they can generate a korjaustiedosto that represents the changes made to the original source code. Users then apply this patch file to their existing version of the software to bring it up to date. This process is typically handled by utility programs, often called "patch" utilities, which read the korjaustiedosto and apply the described modifications to the target files.

The creation and application of korjaustiedosto rely on algorithms that compare files and identify lines or blocks of text that have been added, deleted, or changed. The resulting file is a compact representation of these differences, which can then be easily transmitted and applied. This method is not limited to code; it can be used for any type of file where version control and efficient updates are desirable.