Merge Conflict Resolution
Merge conflict resolution is the process of resolving discrepancies that occur when merging changes from different branches or versions in version control systems, such as Git. It involves identifying conflicting changes to the same lines of code or files and manually or automatically deciding how to integrate them. This is a critical skill for collaborative software development to maintain code integrity and prevent data loss.
Developers should learn merge conflict resolution because it is essential for team-based projects using version control, especially in agile or continuous integration environments. It is used when multiple developers modify the same code sections, during feature branch merges, or in pull request reviews, ensuring smooth collaboration and preventing broken builds. Mastering this skill reduces downtime and improves code quality by handling conflicts efficiently.