What are some use cases for optimistic concurrency control?

What are some use cases for optimistic concurrency control?

Optimistic concurrency control is often used in scenarios where conflicts are rare. Some common use cases include collaborative applications, such as document editing, where multiple users may edit the same document simultaneously.

Can you give me an example of a collaborative application?

Sure! Google Docs is a great example. Multiple users can edit a document at the same time, and optimistic concurrency control helps manage changes without locking the document.

What happens if two users edit the same part of the document?

In that case, the system will detect the conflict when one user tries to save their changes. It typically prompts the user to resolve the conflict by choosing which changes to keep.

Are there any downsides to using optimistic concurrency control?

Yes, one downside is that it can lead to increased complexity in conflict resolution. If conflicts occur frequently, it may be more efficient to use pessimistic concurrency control instead.