I just installed Fedora Core 3. I figured I would learn how to compile the kernel. In the process I found these patches at rpmfind.net

patch-2.5.4-20.src.rpm
patch-2.5.4-20.x86_64.rpm
patch-2.5.4-20.i386.rpm

I'm wondering which one to use. Can I use the 'patch' command on the source patch? what should the rpm command look like,maybe 'rpm -ivh patch-2.5.4-20.src.rpm'?

i don't think there's a chance that you won't already have patch installed, it'd be the i386 one though, as src = source, and i64 = 64bit.

you won't need to manually use patch at all during a simple kernel recompile though.

Ok, Maybe I wouldn't need these particular patches.

I am curious about how I use different types of patches if I need to, say src.rpm vs rpm. can i just use 'rpm -ivh <patch>' to install the .src.rpm then use 'patch' to install the patch? Or, do I need to install the rpm then compile the patch?

Thanks,
Barry

ok, i think you're getting confused now.

what you've found is "patch" the program not, "a patch" for something. when you apply a patch to something you use the patch command to overlay a small (or sometimes large...) piece of code onto an existing set of source code. you then compile that source, and the results of the details in the patch are part of the program. well that's for compiled code... and you can patch otehr things too... but it has nothing whatsoever to do with rpm package management, that's simply where the app itself comes from.

Thanks,

But I think the problem was that I did not express myself well enough. I understand about rpm. What I don't understand is the whole patch process, except that I know that it is used to replace code the kernel compiles. I know that once you have a patch you use the patch facility to apply it. But I don't understand the difference between a .src vs .i386.

well these two areas are totally and utterly unrelated.... src = source code like i said above, i386 = code recompiled to run on all intel 386 compatible hardware (including Pentium 4's and Athlon XP's)

Thanks again, I'm sorry I'm not explaining very well what I am trying to understand. I knew that .src is source code before I asked my question. I knew that rpm is the redhat package management facility. I have also written some of my own programs so I'm familiar with compiling code. I'm trying to get a more in depth understanding of patches and how this process works.

In a patch downlod like the downloads above:
What are the cases when I might use .src? In that case how would I use it instead of the i386 patch? Can you just apply that patch after the rpm is installed or will it be applied by default when rpm is run? I'm not sure I am phrasing this correctly.

Thanks for your patience.

ok, still getting mixed up.... you're either talking about rpm's, or you're talking about patching... which is it? got to pick one or the other...

Patches are my focus. I think the reason you are confused about my question is that I am not sure if rpm when it installs the rpm gives me the .patch file, or I need to do other steps to get the .patch file.

Ok lets try to simplify this...
Say I find a patch, ex. patch-x.src.rpm. I download this patch and run rpm -ivh patch-x.src.rpm.
Now here is where I am not sure how things work. What to do to apply this patch? Will this patch be applied in a form that I can apply or is there another step I will have to take before using the facility 'patch'?

Keep in mind I already have read the documentation on applying patches. I'm just trying to get a deeper understanding.

Thanks again for your patience.

Sorry I didn't get that message quite right let me try again.

Instead of "Will this patch be applied in a form that I can apply or is there another step I will have to take before using the facility 'patch'?" I meant "will this patch be INSTALLED in a form I can apply or is there another step I will have to take to apply it?"

It is a program package, not a patch. Please re-read the previous replies. You downloaded the program called "patch" in an RPM package form. It is included in Fedora Core. No need to download it.

On the contrary, patch files are something different. They are created with the "diff" program and applied with the "patch" program.

I C... Duh, so this is the source for the program 'patch'. Now I think I understand.

Thanks for your patience.