deep_merge 0.1.0 → 1.0.0

data/lib/deep_merge/core.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+module DeepMerge
+
+  class InvalidParameter < StandardError; end
+
+  DEFAULT_FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX = '--'
+
+  # Deep Merge core documentation.
+  # deep_merge! method permits merging of arbitrary child elements. The two top level
+  # elements must be hashes. These hashes can contain unlimited (to stack limit) levels
+  # of child elements. These child elements to not have to be of the same types.
+  # Where child elements are of the same type, deep_merge will attempt to merge them together.
+  # Where child elements are not of the same type, deep_merge will skip or optionally overwrite
+  # the destination element with the contents of the source element at that level.
+  # So if you have two hashes like this:
+  #   source = {:x => [1,2,3], :y => 2}
+  #   dest =   {:x => [4,5,'6'], :y => [7,8,9]}
+  #   dest.deep_merge!(source)
+  #   Results: {:x => [1,2,3,4,5,'6'], :y => 2}
+  # By default, "deep_merge!" will overwrite any unmergeables and merge everything else.
+  # To avoid this, use "deep_merge" (no bang/exclamation mark)
+  #
+  # Options:
+  #   Options are specified in the last parameter passed, which should be in hash format:
+  #   hash.deep_merge!({:x => [1,2]}, {:knockout_prefix => '--'})
+  #   :preserve_unmergeables  DEFAULT: false
+  #      Set to true to skip any unmergeable elements from source
+  #   :knockout_prefix        DEFAULT: nil
+  #      Set to string value to signify prefix which deletes elements from existing element
+  #   :sort_merged_arrays     DEFAULT: false
+  #      Set to true to sort all arrays that are merged together
+  #   :unpack_arrays          DEFAULT: nil
+  #      Set to string value to run "Array::join" then "String::split" against all arrays
+  #   :merge_hash_arrays      DEFAULT: false
+  #      Set to true to merge hashes within arrays
+  #   :merge_debug            DEFAULT: false
+  #      Set to true to get console output of merge process for debugging
+  #
+  # Selected Options Details:
+  # :knockout_prefix => The purpose of this is to provide a way to remove elements
+  #   from existing Hash by specifying them in a special way in incoming hash
+  #    source = {:x => ['--1', '2']}
+  #    dest   = {:x => ['1', '3']}
+  #    dest.ko_deep_merge!(source)
+  #    Results: {:x => ['2','3']}
+  #   Additionally, if the knockout_prefix is passed alone as a string, it will cause
+  #   the entire element to be removed:
+  #    source = {:x => '--'}
+  #    dest   = {:x => [1,2,3]}
+  #    dest.ko_deep_merge!(source)
+  #    Results: {:x => ""}
+  # :unpack_arrays => The purpose of this is to permit compound elements to be passed
+  #   in as strings and to be converted into discrete array elements
+  #   irsource = {:x => ['1,2,3', '4']}
+  #   dest   = {:x => ['5','6','7,8']}
+  #   dest.deep_merge!(source, {:unpack_arrays => ','})
+  #   Results: {:x => ['1','2','3','4','5','6','7','8'}
+  #   Why: If receiving data from an HTML form, this makes it easy for a checkbox
+  #    to pass multiple values from within a single HTML element
+  #
+  # :merge_hash_arrays => merge hashes within arrays
+  #   source = {:x => [{:y => 1}]}
+  #   dest   = {:x => [{:z => 2}]}
+  #   dest.deep_merge!(source, {:merge_hash_arrays => true})
+  #   Results: {:x => [{:y => 1, :z => 2}]}
+  # 
+  # There are many tests for this library - and you can learn more about the features
+  # and usages of deep_merge! by just browsing the test examples
+  def self.deep_merge!(source, dest, options = {})
+    # turn on this line for stdout debugging text
+    merge_debug = options[:merge_debug] || false
+    overwrite_unmergeable = !options[:preserve_unmergeables]
+    knockout_prefix = options[:knockout_prefix] || nil
+    raise InvalidParameter, "knockout_prefix cannot be an empty string in deep_merge!" if knockout_prefix == ""
+    raise InvalidParameter, "overwrite_unmergeable must be true if knockout_prefix is specified in deep_merge!" if knockout_prefix && !overwrite_unmergeable
+    # if present: we will split and join arrays on this char before merging
+    array_split_char = options[:unpack_arrays] || false
+    # request that we sort together any arrays when they are merged
+    sort_merged_arrays = options[:sort_merged_arrays] || false
+    # request that arrays of hashes are merged together
+    merge_hash_arrays = options[:merge_hash_arrays] || false
+    di = options[:debug_indent] || ''
+    # do nothing if source is nil
+    return dest if source.nil?
+    # if dest doesn't exist, then simply copy source to it
+    if !(dest) && overwrite_unmergeable
+      dest = source; return dest
+    end
+
+    puts "#{di}Source class: #{source.class.inspect} :: Dest class: #{dest.class.inspect}" if merge_debug
+    if source.kind_of?(Hash)
+      puts "#{di}Hashes: #{source.inspect} :: #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+      source.each do |src_key, src_value|
+        if dest.kind_of?(Hash)
+          puts "#{di} looping: #{src_key.inspect} => #{src_value.inspect} :: #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+          if dest[src_key]
+            puts "#{di} ==>merging: #{src_key.inspect} => #{src_value.inspect} :: #{dest[src_key].inspect}" if merge_debug
+            dest[src_key] = deep_merge!(src_value, dest[src_key], options.merge(:debug_indent => di + '  '))
+          else # dest[src_key] doesn't exist so we want to create and overwrite it (but we do this via deep_merge!)
+            puts "#{di} ==>merging over: #{src_key.inspect} => #{src_value.inspect}" if merge_debug
+            # note: we rescue here b/c some classes respond to "dup" but don't implement it (Numeric, TrueClass, FalseClass, NilClass among maybe others)
+            begin
+              src_dup = src_value.dup # we dup src_value if possible because we're going to merge into it (since dest is empty)
+            rescue TypeError
+              src_dup = src_value
+            end
+            dest[src_key] = deep_merge!(src_value, src_dup, options.merge(:debug_indent => di + '  '))
+          end
+        else # dest isn't a hash, so we overwrite it completely (if permitted)
+          if overwrite_unmergeable
+            puts "#{di}  overwriting dest: #{src_key.inspect} => #{src_value.inspect} -over->  #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+            dest = overwrite_unmergeables(source, dest, options)
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    elsif source.kind_of?(Array)
+      puts "#{di}Arrays: #{source.inspect} :: #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+      # if we are instructed, join/split any source arrays before processing
+      if array_split_char
+        puts "#{di} split/join on source: #{source.inspect}" if merge_debug
+        source = source.join(array_split_char).split(array_split_char)
+        if dest.kind_of?(Array)
+          dest = dest.join(array_split_char).split(array_split_char)
+        end
+      end
+      # if there's a naked knockout_prefix in source, that means we are to truncate dest
+      if source.index(knockout_prefix)
+        dest = clear_or_nil(dest); source.delete(knockout_prefix)
+      end
+      if dest.kind_of?(Array)
+        if knockout_prefix
+          print "#{di} knocking out: " if merge_debug
+          # remove knockout prefix items from both source and dest
+          source.delete_if do |ko_item|
+            retval = false
+            item = ko_item.respond_to?(:gsub) ? ko_item.gsub(%r{^#{knockout_prefix}}, "") : ko_item
+            if item != ko_item
+              print "#{ko_item} - " if merge_debug
+              dest.delete(item)
+              dest.delete(ko_item)
+              retval = true
+            end
+            retval
+          end
+          puts if merge_debug
+        end
+        puts "#{di} merging arrays: #{source.inspect} :: #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+        source_all_hashes = source.all? { |i| i.kind_of?(Hash) }
+        dest_all_hashes = dest.all? { |i| i.kind_of?(Hash) }
+        if merge_hash_arrays && source_all_hashes && dest_all_hashes
+          # merge hashes in lists
+          list = []
+          dest.each_index do |i|
+            list[i] = deep_merge!(source[i] || {}, dest[i],
+                                  options.merge(:debug_indent => di + '  '))
+          end
+          list += source[dest.count..-1] if source.count > dest.count
+          dest = list
+        else
+          dest = dest | source
+        end
+        dest.sort! if sort_merged_arrays
+      elsif overwrite_unmergeable
+        puts "#{di} overwriting dest: #{source.inspect} -over-> #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+        dest = overwrite_unmergeables(source, dest, options)
+      end
+    else # src_hash is not an array or hash, so we'll have to overwrite dest
+      puts "#{di}Others: #{source.inspect} :: #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+      dest = overwrite_unmergeables(source, dest, options)
+    end
+    puts "#{di}Returning #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+    dest
+  end # deep_merge!
+
+  # allows deep_merge! to uniformly handle overwriting of unmergeable entities
+  def self.overwrite_unmergeables(source, dest, options)
+    merge_debug = options[:merge_debug] || false
+    overwrite_unmergeable = !options[:preserve_unmergeables]
+    knockout_prefix = options[:knockout_prefix] || false
+    di = options[:debug_indent] || ''
+    if knockout_prefix && overwrite_unmergeable
+      if source.kind_of?(String) # remove knockout string from source before overwriting dest
+        src_tmp = source.gsub(%r{^#{knockout_prefix}},"")
+      elsif source.kind_of?(Array) # remove all knockout elements before overwriting dest
+        src_tmp = source.delete_if {|ko_item| ko_item.kind_of?(String) && ko_item.match(%r{^#{knockout_prefix}}) }
+      else
+        src_tmp = source
+      end
+      if src_tmp == source # if we didn't find a knockout_prefix then we just overwrite dest
+        puts "#{di}#{src_tmp.inspect} -over-> #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+        dest = src_tmp
+      else # if we do find a knockout_prefix, then we just delete dest
+        puts "#{di}\"\" -over-> #{dest.inspect}" if merge_debug
+        dest = ""
+      end
+    elsif overwrite_unmergeable
+      dest = source
+    end
+    dest
+  end
+
+  def self.clear_or_nil(obj)
+    if obj.respond_to?(:clear)
+      obj.clear
+    else
+      obj = nil
+    end
+    obj
+  end
+
+end # module DeepMerge

data/lib/deep_merge/deep_merge_hash.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+require 'deep_merge/core'
+
+module DeepMerge
+  module DeepMergeHash
+    # ko_hash_merge! will merge and knockout elements prefixed with DEFAULT_FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX
+    def ko_deep_merge!(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:knockout_prefix => "--", :preserve_unmergeables => false}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+
+    # deep_merge! will merge and overwrite any unmergeables in destination hash
+    def deep_merge!(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:preserve_unmergeables => false}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+
+    # deep_merge will merge and skip any unmergeables in destination hash
+    def deep_merge(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:preserve_unmergeables => true}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+
+  end # DeepMergeHashExt
+end
+
+class Hash
+  include DeepMerge::DeepMergeHash
+end

data/lib/deep_merge/rails_compat.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+require 'deep_merge/core'
+
+module DeepMerge
+  module RailsCompat
+    # ko_hash_merge! will merge and knockout elements prefixed with DEFAULT_FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX
+    def ko_deeper_merge!(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:knockout_prefix => "--", :preserve_unmergeables => false}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+
+    # deep_merge! will merge and overwrite any unmergeables in destination hash
+    def deeper_merge!(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:preserve_unmergeables => false}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+
+    # deep_merge will merge and skip any unmergeables in destination hash
+    def deeper_merge(source, options = {})
+      default_opts = {:preserve_unmergeables => true}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(source, self, default_opts.merge(options))
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+class Hash
+  include ::DeepMerge::RailsCompat
+end

data/test/test_deep_merge.rb

@@ -1,553 +1,596 @@
-require 'test/unit'
-require '../lib/deep_merge.rb'
-
-class TestDeepMerge < Test::Unit::TestCase
-
-  def setup
-  end
-
-  # show that Hash object has deep merge capabilities in form of three methods:
-  #   ko_deep_merge! # uses '--' knockout and overwrites unmergeable
-  #   deep_merge! # overwrites unmergeable
-  #   deep_merge # skips unmergeable
-  def test_hash_deep_merge
-    x = {}
-    assert x.respond_to?('deep_merge!'.to_sym)  
-    hash_src  = {'id' => [3,4,5]}
-    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
-    assert hash_dest.ko_deep_merge!(hash_src)
-    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3,4,5]}, hash_dest)
-
-    hash_src  = {'id' => [3,4,5]}
-    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
-    assert hash_dest.deep_merge!(hash_src)
-    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3,4,5]}, hash_dest)
-
-    hash_src  = {'id' => 'xxx'}
-    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
-    assert hash_dest.deep_merge(hash_src)
-    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3]}, hash_dest)
-  end
-  
-  FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX = DeepMerge::DEFAULT_FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX
-  
-  # tests DeepMerge::deep_merge! function
-  def test_deep_merge
-    # merge tests (moving from basic to more complex)
-
-    # test merging an hash w/array into blank hash
-    hash_src = {'id' => '2'}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src.dup, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
-
-    # test merging an hash w/array into blank hash
-    hash_src = {'region' => {'id' => ['227', '2']}}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
-
-    # merge from empty hash
-    hash_src = {}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => ["2","4"]}, hash_dst)
-
-    # merge to empty hash
-    hash_src = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => ["2","4"]}, hash_dst)
-
-    # simple string overwrite
-    hash_src = {"name" => "value"}
-    hash_dst = {"name" => "value1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"name" => "value"}, hash_dst)
-
-    # simple string overwrite of empty hash
-    hash_src = {"name" => "value"}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal(hash_src, hash_dst)
-
-    # hashes holding array
-    hash_src = {"property" => ["1","3"]}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal(["2","4","1","3"], hash_dst['property'])
-
-    # hashes holding array (sorted)
-    hash_src = {"property" => ["1","3"]}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:sort_merged_arrays => true})
-    assert_equal(["1","2","3","4"].sort, hash_dst['property'])
-
-    # hashes holding hashes holding arrays (array with duplicate elements is merged with dest then src
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["3", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["3","2","1"], "bathroom_count" => ["2", "1", "4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding array v string (string is overwritten by array)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding array v string (string is NOT overwritten by array)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding string v array (array is overwritten by string)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding string v array (array does NOT overwrite string)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding hash v array (array is overwritten by hash)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash holding hash holding hash v array (array is NOT overwritten by hash)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding integers (integers are overwritten by source)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 2, "queen_bed" => 4}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged)
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 1 hash overwriting 3 hash layers holding arrays of int
-    hash_src = {"property" => "1"}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => "1"}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 1 hash NOT overwriting 3 hash layers holding arrays of int
-    hash_src = {"property" => "1"}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged) but second hash's array is overwritten
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged) but second hash's array is NOT overwritten
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but one holds int. This one overwrites, but the rest merge
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is incomplete.
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is shorter and has new 2nd level ints.
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is empty
-    hash_src = {}
-    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but dest is empty
-    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # test parameter management for knockout_prefix and overwrite unmergable
-    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => ""})}
-    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => ""})}
-    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => "--"})}
-    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => "--"})}
-    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)}
-    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})}
-
-    # hash holding arrays of arrays
-    hash_src = {["1", "2", "3"] => ["1", "2"]}
-    hash_dst = {["4", "5"] => ["3"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({["1","2","3"] => ["1", "2"], ["4", "5"] => ["3"]}, hash_dst)
-
-    # test merging of hash with blank hash, and make sure that source array split still functions
-    hash_src = {'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2","3"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # test merging of hash with blank hash, and make sure that source array split does not function when turned off
-    hash_src = {'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}, hash_dst)
-
-    # test merging into a blank hash with overwrite_unmergeables turned on
-    hash_src = {"action"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}
-    hash_dst = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
-
-    # KNOCKOUT_PREFIX testing
-    # the next few tests are looking for correct behavior from specific real-world params/session merges
-    # using the custom modifiers built for param/session merges
-
-    [nil, ","].each do |ko_split|
-      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
-      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
-      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["1", "2", "3"]}}
-      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
-      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["2", "3"]}}, hash_session)
-
-      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
-      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
-      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["3"]}}
-      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
-      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["3","2"]}}, hash_session)
-
-      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
-      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
-      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4"]}}
-      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
-      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4","2","3"]}}, hash_session)
-
-      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
-      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
-      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "4"]}}
-      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
-      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4","2","3"]}}, hash_session)
-
-      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
-      hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3", "4"]}}
-      hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
-      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
-      assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4"]}}, hash_session)
-    end
-
-    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["1","2"] dest:["--1,--2", "3,4"]
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,"+FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3,4"]}}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    # same as previous but without ko_split value, this merge should fail
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,"+FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3,4"]}}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1","2","3,4"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["1","2"] dest:["--1,--2", "3,4"]
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,2", "3,4", "--5", "6"]}}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["2","3","4","6"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["--1,--2", "3,4", "--5", "6"] dest:["1,2", "3,4"]
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}1,#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}2", "3,4", "#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}5", "6"]}}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4","6"]}}, hash_session)
-
-
-    hash_src = {"url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227,233"]}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src.dup, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227","233"]}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--","227"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--","227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227,232,233"], "id"=>"232"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227,232","233"], "id"=>"232"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse",
-      "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"query_uuid"=>"6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
-    hash_dst = {"query_uuid"=>"6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"query_uuid" => "6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "url_regions"=>[],
-      "region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse",
-      "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}, hash_dst)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity" => ["1"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity" => ["1"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--", "2"]}
-    hash_session = {'amenity' => ["1", "3", "7+"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => ["2"]}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--", "2"]}
-    hash_session = {'amenity' => "5"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => ['2']}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out dest array if "--" is passed for source
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ""}}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out dest array but leave other elements of hash intact
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => "", 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire tree of dest hash
-    hash_params = {"region" => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => ""}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire tree of dest hash - retaining array format
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => [FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX]}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => [], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire tree of dest hash & replace with new content
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["2", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, "6"]}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["2", "6"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # knock out entire tree of dest hash & replace with new content
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, "6"]}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["7", "6"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # edge test: make sure that when we turn off knockout_prefix that all values are processed correctly
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", "--", "2", "6,8"]}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["1", "2", "3", "4", "7", "--", "6", "8"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # edge test 2: make sure that when we turn off source array split that all values are processed correctly
-    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", "3", "--", "6,8"]}}
-    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session)
-    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["1", "2", "3", "4", "7", "--", "6,8"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "2"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"2"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>["--1"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"1"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>[]}, hash_session)
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>["--1"]}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>["1"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>[]}, hash_session)
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
-    hash_session = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
-
-
-    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
-    hash_session = {"amenity"=>["1"]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
-
-    #are unmerged hashes passed unmodified w/out :unpack_arrays?
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
-    hash_session = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    #hash should be merged
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
-    hash_session = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26","27"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    # second merge of same values should result in no change in output
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26","27"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    #hashes with knockout values are suppressed
-    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}26,#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}27,28"]}}
-    hash_session = {}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["28"]}}, hash_session)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['227','2','3','3']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'ids'=>[]}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id' => '3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--'], 'id' => '5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--', '227'], 'id' => '5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>'--', 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>'', 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>['--'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>['--','227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>['227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}
-    hash_dst = {"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}}
-    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}}, hash_dst)
-
-    hash_src = {"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}
-    hash_dst = {"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
-    assert_equal({"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}, hash_dst)
-
-    # hash of array of hashes
-    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}
-    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}]}
-    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
-    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5"}, {"1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}, hash_dst)
-  end # test_deep_merge
-end
+require 'test/unit'
+
+$:.unshift(File.dirname(__FILE__) + '/../lib/')
+require 'deep_merge'
+
+# Assume strings have a blank? method
+# as they do when ActiveSupport is included.
+module StringBlank
+  def blank?
+    size == 0
+  end
+end
+
+class TestDeepMerge < Test::Unit::TestCase
+
+  def setup
+  end
+
+  # show that Hash object has deep merge capabilities in form of three methods:
+  #   ko_deep_merge! # uses '--' knockout and overwrites unmergeable
+  #   deep_merge! # overwrites unmergeable
+  #   deep_merge # skips unmergeable
+  def test_hash_deep_merge
+    x = {}
+    assert x.respond_to?('deep_merge!'.to_sym)
+    hash_src  = {'id' => [3,4,5]}
+    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
+    assert hash_dest.ko_deep_merge!(hash_src)
+    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3,4,5]}, hash_dest)
+
+    hash_src  = {'id' => [3,4,5]}
+    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
+    assert hash_dest.deep_merge!(hash_src)
+    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3,4,5]}, hash_dest)
+
+    hash_src  = {'id' => 'xxx'}
+    hash_dest = {'id' => [1,2,3]}
+    assert hash_dest.deep_merge(hash_src)
+    assert_equal({'id' => [1,2,3]}, hash_dest)
+  end
+
+  FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX = DeepMerge::DEFAULT_FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX
+
+  # tests DeepMerge::deep_merge! function
+  def test_deep_merge
+    # merge tests (moving from basic to more complex)
+
+    # test merging an hash w/array into blank hash
+    hash_src = {'id' => '2'}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src.dup, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
+
+    # test merging an hash w/array into blank hash
+    hash_src = {'region' => {'id' => ['227', '2']}}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
+
+    # merge from empty hash
+    hash_src = {}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => ["2","4"]}, hash_dst)
+
+    # merge to empty hash
+    hash_src = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => ["2","4"]}, hash_dst)
+
+    # simple string overwrite
+    hash_src = {"name" => "value"}
+    hash_dst = {"name" => "value1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"name" => "value"}, hash_dst)
+
+    # simple string overwrite of empty hash
+    hash_src = {"name" => "value"}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal(hash_src, hash_dst)
+
+    # hashes holding array
+    hash_src = {"property" => ["1","3"]}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal(["2","4","1","3"], hash_dst['property'])
+
+    # hashes holding array (sorted)
+    hash_src = {"property" => ["1","3"]}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => ["2","4"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:sort_merged_arrays => true})
+    assert_equal(["1","2","3","4"].sort, hash_dst['property'])
+
+    # hashes holding hashes holding arrays (array with duplicate elements is merged with dest then src
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["3", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["3","2","1"], "bathroom_count" => ["2", "1", "4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding array v string (string is overwritten by array)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding array v string (string is NOT overwritten by array)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding string v array (array is overwritten by string)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding string v array (array does NOT overwrite string)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => "3", "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding hash v array (array is overwritten by hash)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash holding hash holding hash v array (array is NOT overwritten by hash)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => ["1", "2"], "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding integers (integers are overwritten by source)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 2, "queen_bed" => 4}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => 1}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged)
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1", "4+"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1","4+"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 1 hash overwriting 3 hash layers holding arrays of int
+    hash_src = {"property" => "1"}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => "1"}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 1 hash NOT overwriting 3 hash layers holding arrays of int
+    hash_src = {"property" => "1"}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged) but second hash's array is overwritten
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int (arrays are merged) but second hash's array is NOT overwritten
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3], "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => "1"}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but one holds int. This one overwrites, but the rest merge
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => [1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => 3, "queen_bed" => [4,1]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is incomplete.
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is shorter and has new 2nd level ints.
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [2,3], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2","1"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but source is empty
+    hash_src = {}
+    hash_dst = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {"king_bed" => [2], "queen_bed" => [4]}, "bathroom_count" => ["2"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # 3 hash layers holding arrays of int, but dest is empty
+    hash_src = {"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"property" => {"bedroom_count" => {2=>3, "king_bed" => [3]}, "bathroom_count" => ["1"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # test parameter management for knockout_prefix and overwrite unmergable
+    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => ""})}
+    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => ""})}
+    assert_raise(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => "--"})}
+    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => "--"})}
+    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)}
+    assert_nothing_raised(DeepMerge::InvalidParameter) {DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:preserve_unmergeables => true})}
+
+    # hash holding arrays of arrays
+    hash_src = {["1", "2", "3"] => ["1", "2"]}
+    hash_dst = {["4", "5"] => ["3"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({["1","2","3"] => ["1", "2"], ["4", "5"] => ["3"]}, hash_dst)
+
+    # test merging of hash with blank hash, and make sure that source array split still functions
+    hash_src = {'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2","3"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # test merging of hash with blank hash, and make sure that source array split does not function when turned off
+    hash_src = {'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({'property' => {'bedroom_count' => ["1","2,3"]}}, hash_dst)
+
+    # test merging into a blank hash with overwrite_unmergeables turned on
+    hash_src = {"action"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}
+    hash_dst = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal hash_src, hash_dst
+
+    # KNOCKOUT_PREFIX testing
+    # the next few tests are looking for correct behavior from specific real-world params/session merges
+    # using the custom modifiers built for param/session merges
+
+    [nil, ","].each do |ko_split|
+      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
+      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
+      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["1", "2", "3"]}}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
+      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["2", "3"]}}, hash_session)
+
+      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
+      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
+      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["3"]}}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
+      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["3","2"]}}, hash_session)
+
+      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
+      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
+      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4"]}}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
+      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4","2","3"]}}, hash_session)
+
+      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
+      hash_params = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "2", "3"]}}
+      hash_session = {"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", "4"]}}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
+      assert_equal({"property"=>{"bedroom_count"=>["4","2","3"]}}, hash_session)
+
+      # typical params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements
+      hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3", "4"]}}
+      hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
+      DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ko_split})
+      assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4"]}}, hash_session)
+    end
+
+    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["1","2"] dest:["--1,--2", "3,4"]
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,"+FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3,4"]}}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    # same as previous but without ko_split value, this merge should fail
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,"+FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"2", "3,4"]}}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1","2","3,4"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["1","2"] dest:["--1,--2", "3,4"]
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>[FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX+"1,2", "3,4", "--5", "6"]}}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["2","3","4","6"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    # special params/session style hash with knockout_merge elements in form src: ["--1,--2", "3,4", "--5", "6"] dest:["1,2", "3,4"]
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}1,#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}2", "3,4", "#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}5", "6"]}}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["3","4","6"]}}, hash_session)
+
+
+    hash_src = {"url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227,233"]}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src.dup, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227","233"]}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results"}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--","227"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--","227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227,232,233"], "id"=>"232"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227,232","233"], "id"=>"232"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "232", "233"], "id"=>"232"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse",
+      "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"query_uuid"=>"6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "region"=>{"ids"=>["--,227"], "id"=>"230"}}
+    hash_dst = {"query_uuid"=>"6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"ids"=>["227", "233", "324", "230", "230"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse", "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:overwrite_unmergeables => true, :knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"query_uuid" => "6386333d-389b-ab5c-8943-6f3a2aa914d7", "url_regions"=>[],
+      "region"=>{"ids"=>["227"], "id"=>"230"}, "action"=>"browse", "task"=>"browse",
+      "controller"=>"results", "property_order_by"=>"property_type.descr"}, hash_dst)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity" => ["1"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity" => ["1"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity" => "1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--", "2"]}
+    hash_session = {'amenity' => ["1", "3", "7+"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => ["2"]}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--", "2"]}
+    hash_session = {'amenity' => "5"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => ['2']}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => "--"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => ""}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire dest hash if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {'amenity' => ["--"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => "--", :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'amenity' => []}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out dest array if "--" is passed for source
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ""}}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out dest array but leave other elements of hash intact
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => "", 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire tree of dest hash
+    hash_params = {"region" => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => ""}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire tree of dest hash - retaining array format
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => [FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX]}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => [], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire tree of dest hash & replace with new content
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["2", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, "6"]}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["2", "6"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # knock out entire tree of dest hash & replace with new content
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, "6"]}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["7", "6"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # edge test: make sure that when we turn off knockout_prefix that all values are processed correctly
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", "--", "2", "6,8"]}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["1", "2", "3", "4", "7", "--", "6", "8"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # edge test 2: make sure that when we turn off source array split that all values are processed correctly
+    hash_params = {"region" => {'ids' => ["7", "3", "--", "6,8"]}}
+    hash_session = {"region"=>{"ids"=>["1", "2", "3", "4"], 'id'=>'11'}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session)
+    assert_equal({'region' => {'ids' => ["1", "2", "3", "4", "7", "--", "6,8"], 'id'=>'11'}}, hash_session)
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "2"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"2"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>["--1"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>"1"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>[]}, hash_session)
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>["--1"]}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>["1"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>[]}, hash_session)
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
+    hash_session = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
+
+
+    # Example: src = {'key' => "--1"}, dst = {'key' => "1"} -> merges to {'key' => ""}
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>"--1"}
+    hash_session = {"amenity"=>["1"]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>""}, hash_session)
+
+    #are unmerged hashes passed unmodified w/out :unpack_arrays?
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
+    hash_session = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    #hash should be merged
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
+    hash_session = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26","27"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    # second merge of same values should result in no change in output
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26,27"]}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["26","27"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    #hashes with knockout values are suppressed
+    hash_params = {"amenity"=>{"id"=>["#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}26,#{FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX}27,28"]}}
+    hash_session = {}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_params, hash_session, {:knockout_prefix => FIELD_KNOCKOUT_PREFIX, :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"amenity"=>{"id"=>["28"]}}, hash_session)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['227','2','3','3']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'ids'=>[]}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id' => '3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--']}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--'], 'id' => '5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'ids'=>['--', '227'], 'id' => '5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>'--', 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>'', 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>['--'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>[], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '--', 'ids'=>['--','227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    hash_dst= {'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '2244', 'ids'=>['227','2','3','3'], 'id'=>'3'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({'region' =>{'muni_city_id' => '', 'ids'=>['227'], 'id'=>'5'}, 'query_uuid' => 'zzz'}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}
+    hash_dst = {"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}}
+    hash_dst = {"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"--", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}
+    hash_dst = {"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:knockout_prefix => '--', :unpack_arrays => ","})
+    assert_equal({"query_uuid"=>"a0dc3c84-ec7f-6756-bdb0-fff9157438ab", "url_regions"=>[], "region"=>{"muni_city_id"=>"", "id"=>""}, "property"=>{"property_type_id"=>"", "search_rate_min"=>"", "search_rate_max"=>""}, "task"=>"search", "run_query"=>"Search"}, hash_dst)
+
+    # hash of array of hashes
+    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}
+    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5"}, {"1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}, hash_dst)
+
+    ######################################
+    # tests for "merge_hash_arrays" option
+
+    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}]}
+    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:merge_hash_arrays => true})
+    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5", "1" => "3"}]}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}
+    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:merge_hash_arrays => true})
+    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5", "1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}, hash_dst)
+
+    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}]}
+    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}, {"2" => "4"}]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:merge_hash_arrays => true})
+    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5", "1" => "3"}, {"2" => "4"}]}, hash_dst)
+
+    # if arrays contain non-hash objects, the :merge_hash_arrays option has
+    # no effect.
+    hash_src = {"item" => [{"1" => "3"}, "str"]}  # contains "str", non-hash
+    hash_dst = {"item" => [{"3" => "5"}]}
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst, {:merge_hash_arrays => true})
+    assert_equal({"item" => [{"3" => "5"}, {"1" => "3"}, "str"]}, hash_dst)
+
+    # Merging empty strings
+    s1, s2 = "hello", ""
+    [s1, s2].each { |s| s.extend StringBlank }
+    hash_dst = {"item" => s1 }
+    hash_src = {"item" => s2 }
+    DeepMerge::deep_merge!(hash_src, hash_dst)
+    assert_equal({"item" => ""}, hash_dst)
+  end # test_deep_merge
+end