CUSTOMIZABLE METADATA MERGING FRAMEWORK

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates merging different versions of a database object. During operation, the system receives metadata associated with a first version of a database object and a second version of the database object. The system then compares metadata associated with the first version with metadata associated with the second version to create a difference report. Next, the system uses the different report to create an action plan that specifies how to merge the metadata associated with the first and second versions of the metadata object.