Read committed snapshot isolation level in sql server

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In this video we will discuss Read committed snapshot isolation level in sql server. This is continuation Part 75. Please watch Part 75 from SQL Server tutorial before proceeding.

Read committed snapshot isolation level is not a different isolation level. It is a different way of implementing Read committed isolation level. One problem we have with Read Committed isloation level is that, it blocks the transaction if it is trying to read the data, that another transaction is updating at the same time.

The following example demonstrates the above point. Open 2 instances of SQL Server Management studio. From the first window execute Transaction 1 code and from the second window execute Transaction 2 code. Notice that Transaction 2 is blocked until Transaction 1 is completed.

--Transaction 1
Set transaction isolation level Read Committed
Begin Transaction
Update tblInventory set ItemsInStock = 5 where Id = 1
waitfor delay '00:00:10'
Commit Transaction

-- Transaction 2
Set transaction isolation level read committed
Begin Transaction
Select ItemsInStock from tblInventory where Id = 1
Commit Transaction

We can make Transaction 2 to use row versioning technique instead of locks by enabling Read committed snapshot isolation at the database level. Use the following command to enable READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT isolation
Alter database SampleDB SET READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT ON

Please note : For the above statement to execute successfully all the other database connections should be closed.

After enabling READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT, execute Transaction 1 first and then Transaction 2 simultaneously. Notice that the Transaction 2 is not blocked. It immediately returns the committed data that is in the database before Transaction 1 started. This is because Transaction 2 is now using Read committed snapshot isolation level.

Let's see if we can achieve the same thing using snapshot isolation level instead of read committed snapshot isolation level.

Step 1 : Turn off READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT
Alter database SampleDB SET READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT OFF

Step 2 : Enable snapshot isolation level at the database level
Alter database SampleDB SET ALLOW_SNAPSHOT_ISOLATION ON

Step 3 : Execute Transaction 1 first and then Transaction 2 simultaneously. Just like in the previous example, notice that the Transaction 2 is not blocked. It immediately returns the committed data that is in the database before Transaction 1 started.

--Transaction 1
Set transaction isolation level Read Committed
Begin Transaction
Update tblInventory set ItemsInStock = 5 where Id = 1
waitfor delay '00:00:10'
Commit Transaction

-- Transaction 2
Set transaction isolation level snapshot
Begin Transaction
Select ItemsInStock from tblInventory where Id = 1
Commit Transaction

So what is the point in using read committed snapshot isolation level over snapshot isolation level.
There are some differences between read committed snapshot isolation level and snapshot isolation level. We will discuss these in our next video.

[Trzbne]

I shouted at the screen when the video ended: how could you do this and leave me here with this cliffhanger, and not telling what is the difference between snapshot and read committed snapshot? My sister ran in the room and asked me, what happened, and was laughing very hard when I told her :-)

So I would like to say: you teach so interestingly, that I am really excited to learn more and more. Thank you very much. I watch every single advertisement :-)

[raqibul]

We wish you continue the advance level tutorial on sql server.
Thanks for nice tutorial.

[swarajgupta]

If READ COMMITTED SNAPSHOT LEVEL is different from READ COMMITTED? Are they same? There was no READ COMMITTED SNAPSHOT LEVEL in the initial videos of isolation level.

[krzysztofs]

Uff a little bit tired wtih these isolation level video series. But i'm goin and goin' slowly to the end of training.