>>
>>Thank you. Is is interesting idea to use FOPEN( , 12) instead of FLOCK()
>>I will try it if there is not any possibility to put FLOCK() to work.
>>
>>Will this technique work OK under a heavy load by many concurrent users ?
>
>The semaphore file being opened is NOT a dbf , just a regular text file that holds the information needed to create the primaryKey.
>
>For heavy loads you can have the program automatically retry getting a handle on the file every second or so for about 5 seconds. You can also change the code so that the file closing happens as soon as possible.

Is'nt this the same as using

USE keys EXCLUSIVE

with retries?

Isn't USE ... EXCLUSIVE and your FOPEN(,12) the same ?