What are the differences between optimistic and pessimistic concurrency control?

What are the differences between optimistic and pessimistic concurrency control?

Optimistic concurrency control assumes that conflicts are rare and allows transactions to proceed without locking resources. It checks for conflicts before committing.

Can you give me an example of when to use optimistic concurrency?

Sure! Optimistic concurrency is ideal for applications with low contention, like a web app where users rarely edit the same data simultaneously.

What about pessimistic concurrency control?

Pessimistic concurrency control locks resources to prevent conflicts, making it suitable for high-contention environments, like banking systems.

Which one is more efficient?

It depends on the use case. Optimistic control can be more efficient in low-contention scenarios, while pessimistic control is safer in high-contention situations.

Are there any drawbacks to either method?

Yes, optimistic control can lead to wasted work if conflicts occur frequently, while pessimistic control can cause delays due to locking.