Pronunciation: [ɹˈə͡ʊ lˈɒk] (IPA) 
The spelling of "row lock" is often confused, as it is sometimes written as "rowl lock". However, the correct pronunciation of this word is /ˈroʊ ˌlɑk/, with a distinct "o" sound in "row" and a short "a" sound in "lock". This word refers to a small device that keeps oars in place on a boat, and it is important to spell it correctly in order to avoid confusion in nautical contexts.
Row lock, often referred to as a row-level lock, is a database management system (DBMS) mechanism that enables concurrent access and manipulation of data within a relational database. It is a type of lock that applies at the granularity of a row, ensuring that multiple transactions can operate on different rows simultaneously while maintaining data integrity.
When a row lock is acquired on a particular row, it prevents other transactions from modifying or accessing the locked row, ensuring the consistency of the data during the transactional processing. This is crucial in multi-user environments where multiple transactions might be attempting to read from or write to the same database simultaneously.
Row locks primarily serve two purposes – increasing concurrency and preventing conflicts. By allowing different transactions to manipulate distinct rows concurrently, row locks enhance the performance and scalability of the database system. At the same time, they prevent conflicts that might arise when two or more transactions try to modify the same row simultaneously, which could lead to data corruption or inconsistencies in the database.
Row locks are usually obtained implicitly by the DBMS when a transaction accesses a specific row. The lock is released once the transaction completes its operation on the row, allowing other transactions to obtain a lock on that row if necessary. However, if multiple transactions attempt to acquire conflicting locks on the same row, a deadlock situation can occur, necessitating the resolution of the conflict to maintain database integrity and consistent transaction processing.
The word "rowlock" originated in the mid-16th century and has its etymological roots in Old English. It is derived from the combination of two words: "row" and "lock".
The term "row" comes from the Old English word "rōwan", which means "to row". "Lock", on the other hand, comes from the Old English word "loc", meaning "hole" or "opening".
Therefore, a "rowlock" refers to the device or opening in the side of a boat where the oar is placed and pivots during rowing. It is sometimes also spelled as "rollock" or "rollocks", but "rowlock" is the most common spelling today.
