2 What is pessimistic locking?

Pessimistic locking is based on the assumption that data conflicts are frequent and that you need to prevent them by locking the data when you read it. With pessimistic locking, you block other users from accessing or modifying the data until you release the lock. This way, you ensure that no one else can change the data while you are working on it. However, pessimistic locking also has some drawbacks, such as increased database load, reduced performance, and potential deadlocks. EF does not provide built-in support for pessimistic locking, but you can use SQL commands or stored procedures to acquire and release locks manually.

3 What are the pros of optimistic locking?

Optimistic locking offers several advantages compared to pessimistic locking, such as reduced database load and improved performance due to the lack of locking and unlocking operations. This type of locking also allows more concurrency and scalability, since it does not block other users from reading or updating the data. Additionally, it avoids deadlocks since it does not hold locks for an extended period of time. Finally, optimistic locking is more suitable for web applications, where users may have long or unpredictable interactions with the data.

4 What are the cons of optimistic locking?

Optimistic locking has some drawbacks, such as the need for extra logic and handling for concurrency exceptions, which can be more common in high-volume or high-conflict situations. Additionally, it may cause data loss or inconsistency if different users make incompatible or overwriting changes. In addition, it may not be the best option for critical or sensitive data, where data integrity and consistency must be maintained at all times.

5 What are the pros of pessimistic locking?

Pessimistic locking offers several advantages over optimistic locking, such as preventing concurrency exceptions and data conflicts. It also guarantees data integrity and consistency, as other users cannot view or alter the data until the transaction is committed. Additionally, it is suitable for shorter or straightforward transactions where the data is updated swiftly and accurately.

6 What are the cons of pessimistic locking?

Pessimistic locking can be detrimental to a database's performance and scalability, as it requires locking and unlocking operations which block other users from accessing or modifying the data. Additionally, it can create deadlocks if it causes circular dependencies between locks held by different transactions. This type of locking is not suitable for web applications, as users may have long or unpredictable interactions with the data.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?