How to Install Meld on Ubuntu

Meld is a visual comparison and merging tool that is primarily aimed at developers, but can be used by anyone looking for an easy-to-use GUI-based tool for comparing and merging files. In this article, we will guide you through the installation process of Meld on Ubuntu.

Before we dive into the installation instructions, it's worth noting that all the examples presented in this tutorial have been tested on Ubuntu 14.04 with Meld version 3.14.2. This is because not everyone is comfortable using the command line, and some may find command-line based comparison tools more difficult to learn and understand.

Meld provides an intuitive interface for comparing and merging files, making it a great alternative to command-line based tools. To get started with Meld on Ubuntu, you will need to install it from the Ubuntu Software Center or by using the following commands:

1. Update your package index: `$ sudo apt-get update`

2. Install Meld: `$ sudo apt-get install meld`

Once installed, you can launch Meld by searching for it in the Ubuntu Software Center or by using the command `melt` in the terminal.

To configure Git to use Meld as your merge tool, you will need to type the following command:

`git config --global merge.tool meld`

This sets Meld as your default merge tool. You can then use Meld to resolve conflicts when merging branches.

When resolving conflicts using Meld, you will be presented with three windows: the 'remote' version (from the other branch), the current version that you are merging into (the final solution), and a third window that shows the differences between the two versions. If there are any conflicts, you will see highlighted text in the middle window.

To resolve conflicts, simply select the desired text from one of the windows and click the 'Copy' button to move it to the other window. Meld will automatically remove the conflicting text from where it was. You can also use the black arrow buttons to choose which version of the text you want to keep.

For example, if you want to keep the text from the remote branch, simply click on the black arrow pointing towards that window. The current version will be highlighted in blue, and the remote version will be highlighted in green.

To save your changes and resolve the conflict, simply save the file and commit it using Git.

In conclusion, Meld is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for comparing and merging files on Ubuntu. With its intuitive interface and ability to handle conflicts seamlessly, Meld is a great addition to any developer's toolkit. Follow these simple steps to install Meld on your Ubuntu system and start taking advantage of its features today!

How to install meld on ubuntu