INFO: How SourceSafe Locks Files in the DATA Directory

Last reviewed: April 22, 1997
Article ID: Q124525
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, versions 4.0, 5.0
  • SourceSafe for MS-DOS, versions 2.X, 3.0X
  • SourceSafe for Windows, versions 2.X, 3.0X
  • SourceSafe for Macintosh, versions 2.X, 3.0X
  • SourceSafe for Windows NT, versions 2.X, 3.0X
  • SourceSafe for UNIX, versions 2.X, 3.0X

SUMMARY

SourceSafe can use two methods for locking files:

  • Native: SourceSafe uses operating-system native locking mechanisms. This is the fastest method, but it may not operate correctly under all network configurations.
  • Lockmode: SourceSafe creates files in the DATA\LOCKS directory indicating a database file is locked. This method is slower, but will work on all configurations. However, users must have delete rights to the DATA\LOCKS directory.

SourceSafe uses the native setting by default.

MORE INFORMATION

The following problems indicate you need to use the lockmode setting:

  • The error "Error locking file."
  • SourceSafe seems to hang (stop responding) after performing an operation such as Checkout, Update, adding a file, or creating a project.

To solve these problems, change the locking method globally for all SourceSafe users by adding or changing the Lock_Mode setting in the SRCSAFE.INI (or in version 2.X, the SYSTEM.INI file).

Edit the SRCSAFE.INI file, which is located in the SourceSafe directory to add:

   lock_mode = lockfile

In version 2.X, edit the SYSTEM.INI file in the SourceSafe directory to add:

   lock_mode = pedantic

REFERENCES

Microsoft SourceSafe Concepts and Configuration Manual, Section 5

The SourceSafe Administrator


Keywords : kbusage SourceSafe vbwin vss kbinfo
Version : 2.0X 3.0X 4.0 5.0
Platform : Macintosh MS-DOS NT UNIX WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: April 22, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.