DBMS: Merge Replication (Definitions)

"A type of replication that allows sites to make autonomous changes to replicated data and, at a later time, merge changes made at all sites. Merge replication does not guarantee transactional consistency." (Microsoft Corporation, "SQL Server 7.0 System Administration Training Kit", 1999)

"A type of replication that allows sites to make autonomous changes to replicated data, and at a later time, merge changes and resolve conflicts when necessary." (Anthony Sequeira & Brian Alderman, "The SQL Server 2000 Book", 2003)

"The process of transferring data from the Publisher to the Subscriber, allowing the Publisher and Subscriber to update data while connected or disconnected and then merging the updates after they both are connected. Merge replication begins with a snapshot. Thereafter, no data is replicated until the Publisher and Subscriber do a "merge." The merge can be scheduled or done via an ad-hoc request. Merge replication's main benefit is that it supports subscribers who are not on the network much of the time. Transactions, which are committed, however, may be rolled back as the result of conflict resolution." (Thomas Moore, "EXAM CRAM™ 2: Designing and Implementing Databases with SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition", 2005)

"A replication type that relies on DML operations being captured from both the published database and the subscriber database(s) and automatically synchronized. Typically starts with a snapshot of the publication. Uses triggers to track subsequent changes made at either the publisher or subscriber." (Victor Isakov et al, "MCITP Administrator: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Optimization and Maintenance (70-444) Study Guide", 2007)

"A replication strategy used when multiple subscribers are also acting as publishers. In other words, the data is updated from multiple sources." (Darril Gibson, "MCITP SQL Server 2005 Database Developer All-in-One Exam Guide", 2008)

"A type of replication that allows sites to make autonomous changes to replicated data, and at a later time, merge changes and resolve conflicts when necessary." (Microsoft Technet)

"Merge replication is a method for copying and distributing data and database objects from one SQL Server database to another followed by synchronizing the databases for consistency." (Idera) [source]