What is a 'merge' in version control?

In version control, a merge is the process of integrating changes from different branches or codebases into a single version. This is a crucial function of version control systems, as it allows multiple developers to collaborate on the same project without overwriting each other's contributions.

When working with branches in a version control system, developers create separate branches to work on features, bug fixes, or experiments independently. Once their work is complete, they can use the merge function to combine their changes back into the main branch (often called 'main' or 'master'). This process often involves resolving any conflicts that may arise when changes overlap, ensuring that all modifications are preserved in the combined version.

Understanding merging is essential for collaborative development, as it promotes organized workflows and helps maintain code integrity across different iterations of a project.