Question
Rexx LOCK command: unspecified wait duration when NOWAIT omitted
Cig Byte
0 reputation · 06 Apr 2020, 15:50 UTC
15.1K views0
Background
The Rexx LOCK command can secure an entire file or a specific region. When the NOWAIT option is omitted, the calling program suspends until the lock is granted, which can delay backup or restore operations.
Uncertainty
Documentation does not specify a timeout or retry policy for blocking locks, leaving the duration of suspension ambiguous. Implementations may differ across Rexx versions or platforms, and no standard mechanism exists to configure a maximum wait time.
Questions
- What is the expected wait duration when
LOCKis issued withoutNOWAIT? - Should restore scripts rely on
NOWAITto avoid indefinite blocking? - Is there a platform‑specific timeout that can be configured or queried?