title: How often do you merge?
body: <p>I am a single developer learning how to use source control software.  I have read the <a href="http://svnbook.red-bean.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Subversion documentation</a>.  I understand the concept of merging but my question is: how often do you merge?</p>
  
  <p>For example, if you have one developer working on the trunk and two developers working on separate branches then when do they:</p>
  
  <pre><code>1) Merge the trunk with branch 1
  2) Merge the trunk with branch 2
  3) Merge branch 1 with the trunk
  4) Merge branch 1 with branch 2
  5) Merge branch 2 with the trunk
  6) Merge branch 2 with branch 1
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>In this example, please assume that the three changes are in isolation.  Do you merge all at the end of each day? - assuming that the changes are stable of course or do you merge just in time for the release date?</p>
  
  <p>In the past (when I have not used source control) I have released as and when.  I assume it is better to set a release date, which I (and other developers) can work towards?</p>
  
  <p>I have ready many posts on merging and branching today e.g. this one: <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/90/good-branching-and-merging-tutorials-for-tortoisesvn">Good branching and merging tutorials for TortoiseSVN?</a>.  I have not found an answer to my specific question.</p>