Methods and Tools for Developing Collaborative Applications Based on CRDT Types with User Conflict Resolution

Citation: Kostadin Almishev, "Methods and Tools for Developing Collaborative Applications Based on CRDT Types with User Conflict Resolution", Universal Library of Engineering Technology, Volume 02, Issue 04.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Against the background of the rapid expansion of the segment of collaborative software solutions, fueled by the transition to hybrid employment formats and the general digital transformation, the problem of ensuring data consistency in distributed systems is coming to the fore as a fundamental scientific and engineering task. Classical strict consistency schemes are in conflict with the requirements of high availability and fault tolerance, which directly follows from the limitations of the CAP theorem. Conflict-free replicated data types (CRDTs) represent a constructive response to this challenge by providing strict final consistency (SEC) without centralized coordination. The purpose of the research is to systematize and analyze approaches and tools for building collaborative applications based on CRDT, as well as to formulate a multi-level model for resolving semantic conflicts that arise at the level of user intentions. Methodologically, the work is based on a systematic review of academic publications, a comparative study of the leading CRDT libraries (Yjs, Automerge) and a content analysis of industry reports. A comprehensive analysis of the theoretical foundations of CRDT, their practical incarnations, and existing conflict resolution strategies has shown the insufficiency of automatic mechanisms for handling semantic collisions. In response, a three—level Data—Logic-Representation architecture is proposed, which distinguishes between automatic merging at the data level, logical identification of semantic contradictions and their resolution at the user interface layer through adapted UI/UX patterns. The findings indicate that this principle of organization increases the predictability of the system’s behavior and makes collaboration more intuitive. The research materials are addressed to other researchers, architects of distributed systems and software developers.

Keywords: CRDT, Collaborative Applications, Distributed Systems, Strict Final Consistency, Conflict Resolution, Semantic Conflicts, Yjs, Automerge, User Interface, Local-First.

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulete.2025.0204015