RE: [PHP] Locking mysql tables with PHP

Marek Kilimajer wrote: > Tony Crockford wrote: >> Hi >> >> bit confused! >> >> here's what I want to do: >> >> get a numeric value from a MySQL table, do a calculation, then on >> another PHPpage update the numeric value in the table. >> >> what I don't want is anyone else getting the same number from the >> table before I've updated it. >> >> what PHP would you use to do this? >> >> Sorry for what is probably a really basic question - I did look at >> the MySQL manual, but I'm not sure how exactly to issue an SQL query >> LOCK TABLES using PHP. >> > > LOCK TABLES will not work because the lock is released when > the first page is finished. You could use a file that will > you will use as a lock, but this could lock your table for > minutes and eventualy, if the user desides not to take any > action, forever. I would suggest to use a temporary table to > hold taken numbers. I may be wrong here, but doesn't PHP let MySQL retain the locks when you've connected with the mysql_pconnect(); function? (persistent connect, I would expect locks to get released on a disconnect, which usually happens on a page refresh (new mysql_connect() call).