QA
Intermediate LevelSQL & MySQL

What is the difference between READ (Shared) Locks and WRITE (Exclusive) Locks?

❓ Interview Prompt: Compare Table Locks: `READ` (Shared lock - multiple concurrent readers, zero writers) vs `WRITE` (Exclusive lock - single writer, zero readers).

Database engines manage data access concurrency using Shared and Exclusive locks:

•
'READ' Lock (Shared Lock): Multiple transactions can hold concurrent READ locks on the same resource to read data simultaneously. Writers are blocked.
•
'WRITE' Lock (Exclusive Lock): Only ONE transaction can hold a WRITE lock. All concurrent readers and writers are blocked until the lock is released.

Code Implementation Example

sql
-- Explicitly acquiring shared and exclusive table locks in MySQL
LOCK TABLES orders READ, inventory WRITE;
-- Execute operations...
UNLOCK TABLES;
💡Acquiring explicit READ and WRITE table locks in MySQL.
🎯 Interview Key Takeaway

Understand that READ locks allow concurrent readers, while WRITE locks block all other readers and writers.

#SQL#Locks#Shared Lock#Exclusive Lock#Intermediate
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