Chris Gamache <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> I have a program that claims a row for itself

>   my $processid = $$;
>   my $sql_update = <<EOS;
>     UPDATE fifo
>       set status=$processid
>     WHERE id = (SELECT min(id) FROM fifo WHERE status=0);
> EOS

> The problem occurrs when two of the processes grab the exact same row at the
> exact same instant.

Probably the best fix is to do it this way:

        BEGIN;
        LOCK TABLE fifo IN EXCLUSIVE MODE;
        UPDATE ... as above ...
        COMMIT;

The exclusive lock will ensure that only one process claims a row
at a time (while not preventing concurrent SELECTs from the table).
This way you don't need to worry about retrying.

                        regards, tom lane

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