Help:Edit conflict

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An edit conflict occurs when two or more users attempt to edit the same section of a MediaWiki page simultaneously. This situation can lead to complications as the system must determine how to merge the changes made by each user. Understanding how to handle edit conflicts is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of collaborative content.

Causes of Edit Conflicts

Edit conflicts typically arise in the following scenarios:

• Multiple users editing the same section of a page at the same time.
• A user attempting to save changes while another user has already saved their edits.
• High-traffic pages where frequent edits are common.

How MediaWiki Handles Edit Conflicts

When an edit conflict occurs, MediaWiki presents the user with a conflict resolution page. This page displays:

• The user's attempted changes.
• The conflicting changes made by other users.
• The original text before any changes were made.

Users are then required to manually merge their changes with the conflicting edits. This process ensures that no contributions are lost and that the final version of the page incorporates all relevant updates.

Steps to Resolve an Edit Conflict

1. **Review the conflicting changes**: Carefully examine the changes made by other users and compare them with your own. 2. **Merge the edits**: Integrate your changes with the conflicting edits. Ensure that the final text is coherent and retains the intended meaning. 3. **Save the merged version**: Once the edits are merged, save the page to update it with the combined changes.

Best Practices to Avoid Edit Conflicts

• **Edit smaller sections**: Editing smaller sections of a page reduces the likelihood of conflicts.
• **Preview changes**: Use the "Show preview" button to review your changes before saving.
• **Communicate with other editors**: Use the Talk page to coordinate with other users, especially on high-traffic pages.

Related Pages

• Help:Editing
• Help:Page history
• Help:Reverting
• Help:Talk pages
• Help:Watchlist

See Also

• Wikipedia:Edit conflict
• Wikipedia:How to edit a page