When you encounter branches that are not in sync, what will likely happen?

When branches are not in sync, it often leads to situations where changes made in one branch conflict with changes made in another. This is particularly relevant when both branches have modifications to the same files or lines of code. In such cases, those conflicts can arise from files that are not automatically resolved by the system, meaning that manual intervention is typically required to address these discrepancies.

The nature of version control systems is that they track changes across different branches, but when branches diverge significantly without proper synchronization, inevitable clashes can occur. These conflicts arise because the system cannot determine how to merge the different changes on its own. Automatic resolution typically works well only in scenarios where the changes are straightforward and non-overlapping, which isn't the case when dealing with out-of-sync branches.

This is a critical aspect of using version control systems effectively. To prevent conflicts, it's essential to regularly sync branches and collaborate effectively with team members to minimize the chances of overlapping changes.