3. The method of claim 2 , wherein resolution of the conflict between the merge definition of the second instance and the merge definition of the first instance results in an output merge definition that is used to merge the second instance with the first instance.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein resolution of the conflict between the merge definition of the second instance and the merge definition of the first instance results in an output merge definition that is used to merge the second instance with the first instance. 4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: determining whether any conflict exists between the next level merge definition of the second instance and the next level merge definition of the first instance; and resolving any conflict between the next level merge definition of the second instance and the next level merge definition of the first instance using a further level merge definition in one or both of the second instance and the first instance.