Item Locking

Preventing corruption of the database

The Editor uses item locking to help prevent corruption of the database. If you attempt to edit an item that is being edited by another user, the Editor informs you that the item is locked by another user and asks whether you want to continue your editing session in read only mode by displaying the Continue (Y/N/R) prompt. Responses are:

Y to continue the editing session in read only mode.

N to discontinue the editing session.

R to retry the edit. For example, if the locked item is filed or released by another user, this option allows you to continue editing the item.

If you answer Y  at the Continue (Y/N/R) prompt, the Editor allows you to perform as many edits as you desire on the item, but you are not allowed to file any of them.

Browse mode

Use the B option to enter the Editor in B(rowse) mode. When in Browse mode, you are not told whether the item you examine is locked or not; nor, if the item is locked, are you told which port has it locked. To release an item lock while editing an item, use the K command.

Example 1

:ED MD CT
Item is locked by port 3
Continue (Y/N/R):Y
No updates will be allowed!
Top
.P
001 PQN
002 (PROCLIB CT)
EOI 002
.I
002+NEWCODE
002+ return
.FI
Item is not locked by your port.
No updates will be allowed!
.F
Item is not locked by your port.
No updates will be allowed!
.EX
'CT' exited from file 'DICT MD'.

Edit item CT in the MD file.
The user on port 3 is editing item CT.
Examine the item in read only mode.






Attempt to edit the item.


Attempt to file the item.

The Editor rejects the FI request.
Attempt to flip the Editor buffer.

The Editor rejects the F request.

Example 2

:ED MD CT
Item is locked by port 3
Continue (Y/N/R):N
'CT' exited from file 'DICT MD'.

Edit item CT in the MD file.
The user on port 3 is editing item CT.
Discontinue the editing session.

Example 3

:ED MD CT (B
Top
.P
001 PQN
002 (PROCLIB CT)
EOI 002
.I
002+NEWSTUFF
002+return
.FI
Item is not locked by your port.
No updates will be allowed!
.F
Item is not locked by your port.
No updates will be allowed!
.EX
'CT' exited from file 'DICT MD'

Edit item CT in the MD file using the B(rowse) option.




Attempt to edit the item.


Attempt to file the item.
The Editor rejects the FI request.

Attempt to flip Editor buffer.
The Editor rejects the F request.