Locking vs. Copying (in versioning)

Locking and copying are two methods used in version control to manage changes to files or documents. Locking involves preventing others from editing a file while someone works on it, ensuring only one person can make modifications at a time, which helps avoid conflicts. Copying, on the other hand, creates a duplicate of the file that can be edited independently; changes are tracked separately, and updates can later be merged. Locking emphasizes control and coordination, while copying allows parallel work and later integration, balancing collaboration needs with version management.