What is the maximum number of records you can merge using the merge() method?

The merge() method in Salesforce is designed specifically to combine multiple records of the same object type into a single record. In this context, the maximum number of records you can merge with this method is three. This limitation is important to understand because it allows for the consolidation of duplicate records, which can help maintain data integrity without overwhelming the user or the system with excessive merged information.

When using the merge() method, you would typically specify one master record along with up to two records that you want to merge into the master. The system then keeps the master record and merges information from the other records based on predefined criteria, which ensures that relevant data is preserved while eliminating duplicates.

Understanding this maximum helps developers to appropriately handle scenarios involving data cleaning and management, ensuring they adhere to Salesforce's constraints while implementing their solutions.