Multi-layered edits for meaningful interpretation of textual differences

The way humans and algorithms look at and understand differences between versions and variants of the same text may be very different. While correctness and overall byte length are fundamental aspects of good outputs of diff algorithms, they do not usually provide immediately interesting values for humans trying to make sense of the events that lead from one version to another of a text. In this paper we propose 3-edit, a layered model to group and organize individual differences (i.e., edits) between document versions in a conceptual value-based scaffolding that provides an easier and more approachable characterization of the modifications occurred to a text document. Through the structural and semantic classification of the individual edits, it becomes possible to differentiate between modifications, so as to show them differently, show only some of them, or emphasize some of them, so that the human mind can more easily identify the types of modifications that matter for its reading purpose. An algorithm that provides structural and semantic grouping of basic mechanical INS/DEL edits is described as well.