The type of buffering (optimistic vs. pessimistic) to use depends on the situation. If you are updating a customer record, which is typically address changes, there is not a high probability of 2 people updating the same address at the same time. But if you are talking about a POS system, there is a good chance that 2 people might try to update the same inventory item during a sale.

Row vs. Table buffering - I have never read anything to indicate a situation where Row is preferred, other than a View needing to be Row buffered in order to index.

Pf

>So, Jim, does that mean you're for Pessimistic buffering? Do you use it in your apps?