Applying patch
to a multiple-file diff can result in files
whose timestamps are out of order. GNU patch
has
options to restore the timestamps of the updated files
(see Updating Timestamps on Patched Files), but sometimes it is useful to generate
a patch that works even if the recipient does not have GNU patch,
or does not use these options. One way to do this would be to
implement a diff
option to output diffs in timestamp order.