Transaction server
Encyclopedia
A transaction server is a software component that is used in implementing transactions
.
A transaction involves multiple steps which must be completed atomically, as though it is a single operation which can not be interrupted, even though it may require multiple steps. For example, a bank moving money from account A to account B must remove it from A and also add it to B; it would be unacceptable to do only one of these steps. If the server is unable to accomplish all of the steps it must be sure to perform none of them. This will mean ensuring that transactions are guaranteed, or that if a transaction fails the system can tell this has happened.
In the case of a transaction failing it can then be "backed out"
(or "rolled back"), which will mean that the system reverses all the actions that happened during the partial completion of the transaction. This is sometimes referred to as the ACID
property.
A transaction server
will consist of a system providing the safety described above, and an environment where programs can be written to make use of these features. It will also have various connection protocols to allow it to connect to the database
s involved, and to the front end software (for example the computer of a telesales person or the web interface of an online bank).
Database transaction
A transaction comprises a unit of work performed within a database management system against a database, and treated in a coherent and reliable way independent of other transactions...
.
A transaction involves multiple steps which must be completed atomically, as though it is a single operation which can not be interrupted, even though it may require multiple steps. For example, a bank moving money from account A to account B must remove it from A and also add it to B; it would be unacceptable to do only one of these steps. If the server is unable to accomplish all of the steps it must be sure to perform none of them. This will mean ensuring that transactions are guaranteed, or that if a transaction fails the system can tell this has happened.
In the case of a transaction failing it can then be "backed out"
Rollback (data management)
In database technologies, a rollback is an operation which returns the database to some previous state. Rollbacks are important for database integrity, because they mean that the database can be restored to a clean copy even after erroneous operations are performed...
(or "rolled back"), which will mean that the system reverses all the actions that happened during the partial completion of the transaction. This is sometimes referred to as the ACID
ACID
In computer science, ACID is a set of properties that guarantee database transactions are processed reliably. In the context of databases, a single logical operation on the data is called a transaction...
property.
A transaction server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
will consist of a system providing the safety described above, and an environment where programs can be written to make use of these features. It will also have various connection protocols to allow it to connect to the database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s involved, and to the front end software (for example the computer of a telesales person or the web interface of an online bank).
See also
- CICSCICSCustomer Information Control System is a transaction server that runs primarily on IBM mainframe systems under z/OS and z/VSE.CICS is a transaction manager designed for rapid, high-volume online processing. This processing is mostly interactive , but background transactions are possible...
- Server (computing)Server (computing)In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
- Transaction processingTransaction processingIn computer science, transaction processing is information processing that is divided into individual, indivisible operations, called transactions. Each transaction must succeed or fail as a complete unit; it cannot remain in an intermediate state...