COMMIT POINT Meaning and
Definition
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A commit point is a term used in the field of database management systems to denote a specific point in the execution of a transaction where all the changes made by the transaction are persisted permanently into the database. It is considered a crucial step in maintaining the integrity and consistency of the database.
When a transaction is initiated, it performs a series of operations such as inserting, updating, or deleting records in the database. However, these changes are not immediately reflected in the underlying database. Instead, the transaction accumulates the changes in a temporary space called the transaction log.
At the commit point, the transaction log is analyzed, and if no errors or conflicts are found, the changes are permanently applied to the database. This process is commonly known as a commit operation. Once the commit point is reached, the changes become visible to other users and future transactions, ensuring the reliability and durability of the database.
Commit points play a vital role in database systems, especially in situations where multiple users or applications are accessing and modifying the same data concurrently. They provide a means to ensure that changes made by one transaction are isolated from the changes made by other transactions until they are successfully completed and committed.
Commit points are essential to maintain the concept of atomicity in database transactions, which guarantees that either the entire transaction is successfully completed and committed, or none of its changes are applied.
Etymology of COMMIT POINT
The word "commit point" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words: "commit" and "point".
"Commit" derived from the Latin word "committere", which means to entrust or carry out. entered Middle English as "committen", and over time, its meaning expanded to refer to actions or decisions that involve dedication, obligation, or responsibility.
"Point" originated from the Latin word "punctum", meaning prick or dot. crossed into Middle English as "pointe", which originally referred to a dot used in writing or printing. Over time, "point" acquired various meanings related to a particular position, detail, aspect, or stage in something.
When combined in the context of software development or version control systems, a "commit point" typically refers to a specific moment or stage at which changes or modifications made to a codebase are formally recorded or saved.
