Autocommit

Autocommit is a feature in database systems that automatically commits transactions after every operation. This means that each SQL statement is wrapped in a transaction, which is then committed separately. Autocommit is typically used in interactive sessions, such as in a SQL shell or a database client.

In autocommit mode, the database engine begins a new transaction for each statement, executes the statement, and then commits the transaction. This provides isolation between different user sessions, as each transaction is treated as a separate entity. If the program or user is interrupted during a transaction, any changes made during that transaction will be rolled back, ensuring data integrity.

Autocommit is often used in development environments, as well as in applications that involve large amounts of data entry, such as online transactions. However, it can lead to performance issues, as the database engine has to commit the transaction after every operation. Additionally, autocommit can make it more difficult to manage transactions, especially when working with complex queries.

System administrators can configure autocommit on a per-session basis or set it as the default for the entire database. Some database systems also allow configuring autocommit to be enabled or disabled based on the type of statement being executed.

In general, autocommit provides a convenient way to manage transactions in interactive sessions. However, its widespread use in production environments should be carefully assessed, considering the potential performance implications of frequent commit operations.