title: What is a simple explanation of these Git merge markers?
body: <p>Explain the meaning of the Git merge markers below with reference to the code segments 1, 2 and 3.</p>
  
  <pre><code>/* Code from beginning of file */
  
  &lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; HEAD
        /* code segment 1 */
  ||||||| merged common ancestors
        /* code segment 2 */
  =======
        /* code segment 3 */
  &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; master
  
  /* code to end of file */
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This question is intended to elicit a simple explanation without reference to the convoluting factors found in other questions.</p>