In an object-oriented computer system, an object can exist in a split state or
a merged state. When in the split state, the object has multiple instances. When
in the merged state, the object has a single instance. A request for migrating
the object between the split state and the merged state is identified. In response
thereto, the object is migrated therebetween. The object's state is preserved during
the migration by consolidating the state of multiple instances of the object, or
by copying the state of a single, merged, instance of the object.