SQL Anywhere uses schema, row, table, and position locks as necessary to ensure the level of consistency that you require. You do not need to explicitly request the use of a particular lock. Instead, you control the level of consistency that is maintained by choosing the isolation level that best fits your requirements. Knowledge of the types of locks will guide you in choosing isolation levels and understanding the impact of each level on performance. Keep in mind that any one transaction cannot block itself by acquiring locks; a locking conflict can only occur between two (or more) transactions.

In general, a locking conflict occurs when one transaction attempts to acquire an exclusive lock on a row on which another transaction holds a lock, or attempts to acquire a shared lock on a row on which another transaction holds an exclusive lock. One transaction must wait for another transaction to complete. The transaction that must wait is blocked by another transaction.

When the database server identifies a locking conflict which prohibits a transaction from proceeding immediately, it can either pause execution of the transaction, or it can terminate the transaction, roll back any changes, and return an error. You control the route by setting the blocking option. When the blocking is set to On the second transaction waits.

 Which locks conflict?

 See also