JackRabbit merging/overlaying of node trees

[Carsten Steckel <cs...@googlemail.com>]

Hi all,

I want to use a don't repeat yourself and configuration by exception
approach for storing information off thousands very similar node trees in
an content repository. e.g.

default configuration (very large tree!):
/hello
/hello/world
/hello/world/a=1
/hello/world/b=2

configuration 1 (only two exceptions):
/hello/world/b=3
/hello/world/c=3

from the overlaying/merging of the two trees (default + configuration 1) I
will get the resulting
/hello
/hello/world
/hello/world/a=1
/hello/world/b=3
/hello/world/c=3

notice that b=3 because it was overwritten by configuration 1.

Is there a mechanism, query to virtually merge to node trees in this
additive manner?
I still have no clue on how to deal with a configuration 1 wants to delete
a path from default.

I am completely new to content repositories, so be very kind if the
solution is obvious.

Hints and ideas are very welcome.

Cheers
Carsten