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How to Patch a Port on Your System

• Audience: People who want to change the code of an existing port
• Requires: MacPorts >= 2.1.2?

Introduction

If you've ever found a port that doesn't work, then found a patch for it with Google, the next step is to apply the patch to the source code, then compile, test, and install the new version of the port so you can use it and get on with your work. This HOWTO will show you how to do that. In this example, I'll be using the 'arb' program as an example.

Installation

Step 1: Get your port's sourcecode

   port patch arb
   find /opt/local/var/macports -name 'arb*'

I found:

   /opt/local/var/macports/distfiles/arb
   /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_science_arb/arb/work/arbsrc_8210/

Step 2: Modify the source with your patch

cd /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_science_arb/arb/work/
cp Makefile Makefile.orig
vi Makefile
* make changes, compile, test *

Step 3: Make a patch

diff -u Makefile.orig Makefile > /opt/local/var/macports/sources/rsync.macports.org/release/tarballs/ports/science/arb/files/patch-ARB-makefile2.diff
port edit arb     (add the patch-ARB-makefile2.diff file to the list of patches)

Step 4: Make it real

port install arb

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