Merge Shape

The Merge shape represents a merging operation that combines multiple data streams or flows into a single stream.

What is a Merge Shape?

The Merge shape represents:

• Merging data streams
• Combining parallel flows
• Joining multiple inputs
• Consolidating data
• Union operations

According to ISO 5807, this shape indicates a merge point where multiple flows converge into one.

When to Use

Use the Merge shape for:

• Combining streams: "Merge user and admin flows", "Join parallel processes"
• Data consolidation: "Merge datasets", "Combine results"
• Flow convergence: "Merge branches after decision"
• Union operations: "Merge two lists", "Combine collections"
• Parallel completion: "Wait for all threads, then merge"

Visual Appearance

In DiagramKit.AI, the Merge shape appears as:

• Dimensions: 120×120 pixels
• Color: Light yellow (#fefce8)
• Border: Yellow (#eab308)
• Shape: Triangle pointing down (funnel)

Best Practices

✅ Good Usage

[Process A]  [Process B]
    ↓            ↓
    └────┬───────┘
         ↓
    [Merge results]
         ↓
    [Continue processing]

• Show multiple inputs converging
• Indicate what is being merged
• Use after parallel processing
• Show merged output

❌ Avoid

• ❌ Single input (not a merge)
• ❌ Sorting: "Sort items" (use Sort)
• ❌ Too vague: "Merge" (merge what?)
• ❌ Simple combination (use Process)

Common Examples

Example 1: Parallel Processing

[Split data into chunks]
   ↓
   ├→[Process chunk 1]→┐
   ├→[Process chunk 2]→┤
   └→[Process chunk 3]→┘
         ↓
    [Merge processed chunks]
         ↓
    [Generate final output]

Example 2: Multi-Source Data

[Fetch from database]─→┐
                        ↓
[Fetch from API]──────→┤
                        ↓
[Fetch from cache]────→┘
         ↓
    [Merge all sources]
         ↓
    [Deduplicate results]

Example 3: Decision Convergence

<User type?>
  ↙      ↘
Admin   Regular
  ↓        ↓
[Admin  [Regular
 flow]   flow]
  ↓        ↓
  └───┬────┘
      ↓
[Merge to common flow]
      ↓
[Continue]

AI Prompt Tips

add merge operation for parallel results
insert merge step for multiple streams
create merge shape to combine data

Related Shapes

• Collate - For organizing data
• Sort - For sorting merged data
• Extract - Opposite of merge
• Decision - For splitting flows