Alex Martinez
Posted on Sep 8, 2025
Posted on Sep 8, 2025
Conflict Resolution Strategies
When multiple devices modify the same file simultaneously, cloud storage services need robust conflict resolution. Below are the strategies I've observed:
- Last Write Wins (LWW): The most recent change overwrites earlier ones.
- Versioned Merges: Create a new version that incorporates changes from all devices, sometimes prompting the user to resolve conflicts manually.
- Operational Transform (OT): Used by collaborative editors to merge edits in real‑time.
- User Prompt: Notify the user and let them choose which version to keep.
Each has trade‑offs in terms of data loss risk, complexity, and user experience. What are your thoughts?
Comments (2)
I think LWW is fine for non‑critical files, but versioned merges are essential for documents where every change matters.
OT is great for collaborative editing, but it's overkill for simple backup sync. A hybrid approach works best.