diff: /dif/ n. 1. A change listing, especially giving
differences between (and additions to) source code or documents (the
term is often used in the plural `diffs'). "Send me your diffs for
the Jargon File!" Compare vdiff. 2. Specifically, such a listing
produced by the `diff(1)' command, esp. when used as specification
input to the `patch(1)' utility (which can actually perform the
modifications; see patch). This is a common method of
distributing patches and source updates in the Unix/C world. 3. v.
To compare (whether or not by use of automated tools on
machine-readable files); see also vdiff, mod.