What is a merge conflict?

A merge conflict occurs specifically during the process of merging two branches in a version control system when both branches contain changes to the same lines in a file or when one branch modifies a file that the other branch has deleted. In this context, when merging two branches, if both branches have changes affecting the same part of a file, the version control system cannot automatically determine which changes should be preserved. Hence, a merge conflict arises, requiring manual resolution before the merge can be completed.

This situation emphasizes the collaborative nature of software development using version control systems, where multiple developers might be working on similar parts of a codebase, necessitating clear communication and coordination to mitigate such conflicts. The resolution process often involves reviewing the conflicting changes and deciding which version to keep, or potentially combining both changes into a new version that satisfies the requirements of both branches.