Lockscan

Lockscan is a term used in multiple domains to describe a procedure or tool that inspects the status or integrity of locks. It is not tied to a single technology or standard, but rather a generic concept applied to both digital and physical locks.

In computing, a lockscan refers to tools and processes that examine the state of synchronization primitives or database locks to identify contention, deadlocks, or long wait times. Outputs often include lock graphs or wait-for diagrams, listing which processes hold or wait for locks, and how long they have been held. These scans aid developers and database administrators in diagnosing performance bottlenecks and ensuring correctness in concurrent systems.

In the context of physical security, lockscan describes methods used by locksmiths or security assessors to inspect locks for vulnerabilities. This may involve scanning keyways for wear, analyzing electronic lock credentials, or verifying that locks operate correctly under normal and adversarial conditions. The term here is informal and can refer to manual inspection or the use of dedicated diagnostic tools.

Because the term covers different domains, best practices vary. In software, lock scanning should not alter program state and should respect privacy and security policies. In physical security, performing scans on locks without authorization may be illegal; ethical guidelines call for obtaining consent and documenting methods. The concept of lockscan emphasizes the monitoring and assessment of lock states to improve reliability, security, and performance across contexts.