Transaction

What is a Transaction?

Transaction (also known as “transaction” in English) refers to a unit of work or process that is treated as a single, indivisible operation from start to finish. It is a set of actions that must be completed in entirety to be considered successful.

Brief Explanation

A transaction is a “unit of work” that must be completed from start to finish as a single, indivisible operation. It is commonly used in the context of databases.

Detailed Explanation

1. Basic Concept of TransactionsA transaction is a sequence of operations that must be executed together as a whole. If any part of the process is incomplete or fails, the entire transaction is considered to have failed. This ensures that all steps in the process are carried out successfully or none at all.
2. Examples
   • Work Routine: For example, a “work routine” at a company might involve these three actions:
     1. Changing from casual clothes to a suit
     2. Punching the time card
     3. Having coffee
     These three actions must all be completed together. If any one of them is missing, the routine is considered incomplete. This sequence of actions represents a “transaction.”
   • Shopping: Another example is shopping, which typically involves:
     1. Receiving the product
     2. Paying for it
     Both actions must be completed for the transaction to be considered successful. This process is also a transaction.
3. Transactions in DatabasesIn databases, a transaction ensures that a series of operations either all succeed or all fail, maintaining data integrity. For example, in a bank transfer, the transaction is complete only if both the sending and receiving accounts are updated successfully. If any part fails, the entire transaction is rolled back to prevent partial updates.

In Summary

When you encounter the term “transaction,” think of it as a “complete and indivisible unit of work” that must be executed in its entirety. It represents a set of actions that are treated as a single unit of work.