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pacdiff:tldr:21489

pacdiff: Review files that need maintenance in interactive mode.
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The command "pacdiff" is a utility tool in Arch Linux and its derivatives that helps in managing differences between the package manager's default configuration files and the ones stored on the system.

When you install or upgrade packages, the package manager may update its configuration files. However, if you have made any custom modifications to those configuration files, the package manager will not overwrite them automatically. This is to prevent any data loss or unintentional changes you may have made.

The "pacdiff" command is used to compare the default configuration files with the modified versions on your system. It displays a side-by-side difference between the files and prompts you to choose one of the following actions:

  1. Review: This option displays the difference between the files and allows you to manually merge the changes. You can use a text editor or a diff viewer to review and manually apply the changes.

  2. Replace: This option replaces the modified configuration file with the default one provided by the package manager. If you haven't made any significant changes to the file, this option can be used to restore it to its original state.

  3. Diff: This option opens a diff viewer to display the differences between the files. It allows you to visually compare the changes and decide what actions to take.

  4. Skip: This option skips the comparison for the current file and moves on to the next one. This is useful if you want to bypass the pacdiff process for certain files.

By running the "pacdiff" command, you can ensure that any changes made to package manager-managed configuration files are properly reviewed and managed, preventing conflicts or unintended modifications.

This explanation was created by an AI. In most cases those are correct. But please always be careful and never run a command you are not sure if it is safe.
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