Document Section-Based Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Editing and sharing documents among a group of people is challenging due to difficulties in merging edits, conflicts between different versions, and compatibility issues with various devices, especially mobile devices, which can lead to frustrating user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows multiple users to concurrently edit a document by associating it with a document log, using a section-based approach with metadata to manage changes, and employing a global database to resolve conflicts and maintain version control, while also optimizing rendering for different devices through specialized client applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users edit a document concurrently online, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but conflicts between different edits increase
Solution Approach 1:
The document is divided into multiple sections, and each section can be independently edited by different users. The system tracks edits at the section level rather than document level, allowing concurrent editing of different sections without conflicts. When conflicts do occur, the system can resolve them by merging section-level changes rather than document-level changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users edit documents offline, then accessibility is improved, but version control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating local copies of document sections on user devices before offline editing. Each local copy includes version information and section identifiers. When users reconnect online, the system automatically synchronizes changes by comparing version information and merging edits, eliminating version control issues while maintaining offline accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If online documents are rendered for mobile devices, then accessibility is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to zooming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The document is divided into multiple sections that can be independently rendered. For mobile devices, the system renders only the relevant section at a time rather than the entire document, eliminating the need for zooming. Each section is sized appropriately for mobile viewports, providing a comfortable reading experience while maintaining full document accessibility through section navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method comprises associating a document with a document log; receiving, from a first client computer, a first section of the document; determining a first change in the document in the first section; generating a first message that includes the first change; storing the first message; sending, to each client computer of one or more client computers, the first message, which when received by the client computer, causes the client computer to update the document stored on the client computer with the first change and to present the first change to a user in a user interface associated with the document log.