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Three Way Merge Tool Helps Manage Code Files And Directories

By Jon Harwokey

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 08Nov2009 Word count: 402 Viewed: 87 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

A three way merge tool helps developers manage code files and directories by efficiently merging different versions of individual files and entire directories. The multi-paned window interface of a three way merge tool makes this more convenient.

With software development tools of this type, a programmer can view the Base, Source, and Destination code files on the same screen, in the same window. It also shows a list of code files currently being displayed to the user, and might show the Result code file as well.

Although a three way merge tool is most frequently applied to manage code files and directories, many such tools can also be used for the purpose of examining and resolving the differences in different versions of a document or digitized image.

When resolving conflicts in code files, such software development tools highlight the text where conflicts exist, usually with light colors. This highlighting feature helps the user to visually identify these differences with the minimum amount of effort.

Merging is usually a major task in software configuration management and parallel development. The merging process can sometimes take many hours to accomplish, but it is greatly expedited by using the best software development tools available.

A three-way merge tool can often manage to resolve code file conflicts automatically, although this is not always possible. When the tool cannot do this itself, it may be able to recommend a solution, which helps the developer determine the best action to take.

Merge tools don't actually comprehend the meaning of code files or documents; they use special algorithms that frequently determine the best way to manage conflicts in different versions of a file. This can make merging entire directories of files much faster.

Such a tool will also identify the total quantity of conflicts, the number of the conflict currently being examined, and the updated remaining number of differences to be resolved. Users can skip from one conflict to another using tape recorder style controls.

An effective, full-featured merge tool is essential for achieving genuine parallel software development. Be sure to compare the features and capabilities of all of the different merge tools before choosing a tool to use; they vary significantly from one to another.

Three way merge tools are offered both as independent (stand-alone) software development tools or as an integrated function of a comprehensive software configuration management system. They are available for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux computers.

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