[cvsnt] Why is this a conflict?

[Flávio Etrusco]

> How about this example, a script this time:
> 
>  >>> Original File
> CallSomethingMessy
> cd tmp
> cat output.txt | more
> <<<
> 
> But this leaves you in a tmp directory.  Dev 1 appends this to leave 
> them in their home directory:
>  >>>
> cd ~
> <<<
> 
> The original also leaves the tmp directory full of intermediate and 
> output files.  Dev 2 appends this to clean up the directory:
>  >>>
> rm -rf *
> <<<
> 
> Each edit is fine on their own, but would YOU want to risk 
> them getting 
> appended in the wrong order and NOT have the developer alerted to the 
> possible conflict?

I agree this would be one more source of problems, but this kind of problem can easily occur without CVS detecting a conflict.
Say there was a comment or some logging (e.g. "echo Done.") after the "cat". If the first guy places "cd ~" before the logging and the second guy places it after, then it would merge cleanly. Ok, I know this was bit "forced", but I bet someone can think of better examples ;-)

So I wouldn't vote for changing this in the short term, but if someone decides to put together a release to check its "usability" I'm volunteer :)

Regards,
Flávio