# spork

> AST-based structured merge tool for Java, fully Git compatible https://doi.org/10.1109/TSE.2022.3143766

**Wikidata**: [Q127485557](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127485557)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spork-q127485557

## Summary
Spork is an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST)-based structured merge tool designed specifically for the Java programming language. It is fully compatible with Git and is distributed as free software under the MIT License. The tool aims to improve upon standard merge techniques by preserving code formatting while structurally integrating changes.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** AST-based structured merge tool for Java.
- **Compatibility:** Fully compatible with Git.
- **License:** Distributed under the MIT License.
- **Source Repository:** Hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork`.
- **Latest Stable Release:** Version 0.5.1, released on July 9, 2021.
- **Initial Release:** Version 0.0.1 was released on February 16, 2020.
- **Academic Source:** Described in the publication "Spork: Structured Merge for Java With Formatting Preservation" (DOI: 10.1109/TSE.2022.3143766).
- **Classifications:** Identified as free software and a non-tangible executable software component.

## FAQs
### Q: What programming language does Spork support?
A: Spork is designed specifically for merging Java code. It utilizes the Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) of Java to perform structured merges.

### Q: Does Spork work with existing Git workflows?
A: Yes, Spork is fully compatible with Git. It is designed to integrate into standard version control workflows used by Java developers.

### Q: What distinguishes Spork from standard text-based merge tools?
A: Spork uses a structured, AST-based approach rather than line-based text comparison. This allows it to handle conflicts and merges that preserve the syntactic structure of the code, specifically focusing on formatting preservation.

## Why It Matters
Software development relies heavily on version control systems like Git to manage changes from multiple developers. However, standard Git merge tools are text-based, meaning they compare files line-by-line without understanding the code's structure. This often leads to conflicts that are syntactically incorrect or result in lost formatting, requiring manual intervention.

Spork addresses this problem by implementing structured merge technology specifically for Java. By parsing the code into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST), Spork understands the code's logical structure rather than just its text. This structural awareness allows it to merge changes more intelligently than standard tools. Crucially, Spork emphasizes "formatting preservation," solving a common pain point where structured merge tools inadvertently reformat code, creating "diff noise" in repositories. Backed by research published in the IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering (TSE), Spork represents a significant step toward making structured merging practical and usable for mainstream Java development.

## Notable For
- **Formatting Preservation:** Unlike many structured merge tools that normalize or destroy code style during a merge, Spork is specifically designed to preserve the original formatting.
- **Git Integration:** It is built to be fully compatible with standard Git operations, lowering the barrier to entry for developers.
- **Rapid Development Cycle:** The project released ten distinct versions between February 2020 and July 2021, demonstrating active iteration.
- **Academic Validation:** The tool is supported by peer-reviewed research published in IEEE TSE (2022), providing a theoretical foundation for its approach.

## Body

### Technical Overview
Spork is a software tool categorized as "free software" and "software" within knowledge bases. It functions as a structured merge driver. While traditional merge tools operate on text lines, Spork operates on the Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) of Java source code. This method allows the tool to understand the semantic relationships between code elements (e.g., methods, classes, fields).

The development of Spork is documented in the paper "Spork: Structured Merge for Java With Formatting Preservation," which is indexed under the Digital Object Identifier `10.1109/TSE.2022.3143766`. This publication indicates the tool's relevance in academic software engineering research, particularly in the domain of Software Configuration Management.

### Version History
The development of Spork showed significant activity throughout 2020, with ten stable releases recorded. The project is hosted on the GitHub repository `https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork`.

*   **Early Development (Feb 2020):** The project began with version 0.0.1 on February 16, 2020, followed quickly by version 0.1.0 on February 25, 2020.
*   **Expansion (March-May 2020):** The tool underwent rapid iteration in the spring of 2020.
    *   Version 0.2.0 (March 29) and 0.2.1 (April 6).
    *   Version 0.3.0 (May 12).
    *   A burst of releases occurred in late May 2020, with versions 0.4.0 (May 24), 0.4.1 (May 25), 0.4.2 (May 26), and 0.5.0 (May 27).
*   **Current Status:** The most recent stable version listed in the provided data is **0.5.1**, released on **July 9, 2021**.

### Licensing and Availability
Spork is released under the **MIT License**, a permissive free software license that allows for broad reuse and modification within both open-source and proprietary software projects. The source code is publicly accessible, promoting transparency and community contribution.

## References

1. [Release 0.0.1. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.0.1)
2. [Release 0.1.0. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
3. [Release 0.2.0. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
4. [Release 0.2.1. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
5. [Release 0.3.0. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
6. [Release 0.4.0. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
7. [Release 0.4.1. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.4.1)
8. [Release 0.4.2. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.4.2)
9. [Release 0.5.0. 2020](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
10. [Release 0.5.1. 2021](https://github.com/ASSERT-KTH/spork/releases/tag/v0.5.1)