The word "table lock" is pronounced ˈteɪbəl lɒk. The spelling of this word is straightforward: "table" refers to the furniture item, and "lock" refers to a mechanical device used to secure things. When combined, "table lock" refers to a mechanism that allows a table to be securely locked in place. The first syllable is stressed, with the vowel sound /eɪ/, followed by the unstressed vowel sound /ə/. The final syllable is pronounced with the rounded vowel sound /ɒ/.
A table lock, in the context of database management systems, refers to a mechanism that restricts other users or processes from accessing a specific table while it is being used. It is a form of concurrency control that ensures data integrity and consistency.
When a table lock is acquired, it means that the user or process has exclusive access to the entire table for performing operations such as inserting, updating, or deleting records. This prevents other users or processes from modifying the data on that table simultaneously, thereby avoiding conflicts and inconsistencies in the database.
Table locks are usually implemented to prevent issues like concurrent updates causing data corruption or reading inconsistent data during write operations. However, it can also lead to potential problems such as reduced concurrency and increased wait times if multiple users or processes are competing for access to the same table.
There are generally two types of table locks: shared locks and exclusive locks. Shared locks allow multiple users to read data simultaneously, while exclusive locks grant exclusive access to perform write operations. The choice of lock type depends on the specific requirements and usage patterns of the application or system.
In conclusion, a table lock is a means of controlling concurrent access to a database table to maintain data integrity by preventing simultaneous modifications. It ensures that only one user or process can perform write operations at any given time, while allowing concurrent reads.