22. The method of claim 21 , wherein each of said first plurality of elements and said second plurality of elements contains a corresponding set of child elements, wherein said first element contains a first set of child elements and said second element contains a second set of child elements, wherein said single element comprises a merged set of elements formed based on said first set of child elements and said second set of child elements, wherein said forming decides to include said single element or said two elements solely based on said comparing of said first value and said second value, without having to examine said first set of child elements and said second set of child elements for equality.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein each of said first plurality of elements and said second plurality of elements contains a corresponding set of child elements, wherein said first element contains a first set of child elements and said second element contains a second set of child elements, wherein said single element comprises a merged set of elements formed based on said first set of child elements and said second set of child elements, wherein said forming decides to include said single element or said two elements solely based on said comparing of said first value and said second value, without having to examine said first set of child elements and said second set of child elements for equality. 26. The method of claim 22 , wherein said first value equals said second value, and wherein the first set of child elements are not identical to said second set of child elements such that there are conflicting elements, said method further comprising resolving a conflict presented by said conflicting elements.