What are the best practices for optimistic locking in databases?

What are the best practices for optimistic locking in databases?

Optimistic locking is a concurrency control method that assumes multiple transactions can complete without affecting each other. Best practices include using versioning, handling conflicts gracefully, and keeping transactions short.

Can you explain how versioning works in optimistic locking?

Sure! In optimistic locking, each record has a version number. When a transaction reads a record, it also reads the version. Before updating, it checks if the version is unchanged. If it has changed, the transaction is aborted to prevent overwriting.

What should I do if a conflict occurs?

If a conflict occurs, you can either retry the transaction, notify the user, or merge changes based on your application's needs. It's essential to have a strategy for conflict resolution.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, while optimistic locking can reduce locking overhead, it may lead to increased retries if conflicts are frequent. Monitor your application's performance and adjust your transaction strategies accordingly.