How to Make a Patch File Using the Terminal

Sometimes, developers release the source code for patch files for their Mac OS X programs in addition to binary installers. Before you can install the patch from the source code, you need to configure and make it, which organizes it in a way that your Mac can use to install the patch. You can make the patch file in the Mac terminal.

Things You'll Need

• Xcode

Instructions

1. Go to Connect.apple.com and log in to your Apple Developer Account. If you don't have one, you will need to fill out several forms to register a new one.

2. Click "Download" and "Developer Tools." Locate the latest version of Xcode to download and install it.

3. Open the Mac terminal. Type "cd /" and the path to the directory in which you extracted the patch file's source code. Press "Enter."

4. Type "./configure" and press "Enter."

5. Type "make" and press "Enter." The patch file is now ready to install. To do so now, type "sudo make install" and press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• You can also install Xcode from your Mac OS X installation discs. Even though the program is on the discs, it is not installed by default onto your computer.

References

• Webmonkey: Compile Software from Source Code

Resources

• Apple Developer