Re: lock Oracle db objects, but only a lock for others?

Bob Kilmer wrote:

> Dan,
> Are you trying to say I am asking too much of this newsgroup?
>
> Bob
> "Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
> news:3EA2E831.F3D5B301_at_exesolutions.com...
> > Bob Kilmer wrote:
> >
> > > >expect that the entire code base needs to be rewritten
> > >
> > > I agree but this is not practicable. Not only that, without learning
> > > something, we are likely to write something only a little better or
> merely
> > > with different foibles. As it is, I hope to make an admittedly bad
> situation
> > > less bad. Can any one address my questions directly? Some of the are
> yes-no
> > > questions. Surely someone can manage that.
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > > "Daniel Morgan" <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
> > > news:3EA2DF84.6075EA5_at_exesolutions.com...
> > > > Bob Kilmer wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Jim,
> > > > > Thanks for your response. I am new to the app and the company. I
> didn't
> > > > > invent the locking and unlocking chaos, I am trying to cure it. I do
> > > read
> > > > > the docs online and I will look at what you suggest, but it takes a
> > > while
> > > > > for it all to sink in and to find just the right answer and not just
> a
> > > > > generic lesson in locking database objects.
> > > > >
> > > > > Now that I've finished being defensive, let me say the locking that
> the
> > > code
> > > > > uses is a 'select for update', sometimes with and without a nowait,
> > > between
> > > > > a begin trans and commit or rollback. But the code places a lock
> that
> > > gets
> > > > > in its own way! So it commits (or rollsback - who knows - On Error
> > > Goto!) to
> > > > > release the lock when it passes control to whatever code it thinks
> might
> > > > > need access to the data that it would prefer to remain locked. And
> that
> > > code
> > > > > sets a lock again. (Or should. Or maybe not?) And this happens again
> and
> > > > > again as the client opens and closes form after form getting or
> posting
> > > > > data, locking and unlocking data, starting and ending transactions,
> > > before
> > > > > the finally the process is through.
> > > > >
> > > > > Besides all that, the app doesn't really lock all the data up for
> grabs.
> > > The
> > > > > app really just locks a mutually agreed upon row in a particular
> table.
> > > This
> > > > > lock then serves as a flag to other instances of the app not to fool
> > > with
> > > > > the data. Not that one couldn't fool with the other data that is not
> > > locked.
> > > > > So if all the clients are using this as a flag, they may as well use
> an
> > > > > explicit flag, i.e., a flag table value, unless the app can set a
> > > reasonable
> > > > > lock that won't get in its own way, don't you think?. Intuition
> tells me
> > > > > that this lock, unlock, lock unlock madness is bogus, especially
> when it
> > > > > encumbers the code so, and isn't really locking all the data that is
> > > > > exposed.
> > > > >
> > > > > Should the client be using db locking at all?
> > > > >
> > > > > Can the client set a legitimate lock that won't get in its own way?
> > > > >
> > > > > Would it be just as well to set a flag in a table of flags? (That
> is, in
> > > > > effect, what is being done now - except it is a table of real data!)
> > > > >
> > > > > Is there another option that is cleaner, easier and more
> professional
> > > that I
> > > > > have yet to discover?
> > > > >
> > > > > I would prefer to be able to set a lock or a flag exactly once at
> the
> > > > > beginning of a client input or edit process, do the input or editing
> > > > > machinations, then unlock or lower the flag (once) when I am out of
> > > there.
> > > > >
> > > > > Regards,
> > > > > Bob
> > > > >
> > > > > <snipped>
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > I'm just guessing based on things in your post but what catches my eye
> are
> > > > things like:
> > > >
> > > > begin trans
> > > > On Error Goto
> > > >
> > > > If things like this have been written expect that the entire code base
> > > needs to
> > > > be rewritten.
> > > >
> > > > Daniel Morgan
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > Then hire someone to train your staff.
> >
> > I can certainly suggest someone that can fly to where-ever you are and do
> so.
> >
> > You will learn more and save money with an on-site instructor for one week
> or
> > two weeks.
> >
> > If you are interested in pursuing this option one person I can recommend
> is Jack
> > Cline. You can email him at jcline_at_deltabravo.net.
> >
> > Daniel Morgan
> >
> >

Not at all. It is worth a lot more than I am paying for it. A bargain for sure.

Just as an on-site instructor that can for a few thousand dollars teach multiple member of your team ...
is a lot less expensive than the cost of sending even one person to a professional classroom.

Daniel Morgan Received on Sun Apr 20 2003 - 16:54:42 CDT