With the --merge (-m) option, diff3 outputs the merged file directly. This is more efficient than using ed to generate it, and works even with non-text files that ed would reject. If you specify -m without an ed script option, -A is assumed.
For example, the command ‘diff3 -m lao tzu tao’ (see Sample diff3 Input for a copy of the input files) would output the following:
<<<<<<< tzu
=======
The Way that can be told of is not the eternal Way;
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
>>>>>>> tao
The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth;
The Named is the mother of all things.
Therefore let there always be non-being,
so we may see their subtlety,
And let there always be being,
so we may see their result.
The two are the same,
But after they are produced,
they have different names.
<<<<<<< lao
||||||| tzu
They both may be called deep and profound.
Deeper and more profound,
The door of all subtleties!
=======
-- The Way of Lao-Tzu, tr. Wing-tsit Chan
>>>>>>> tao