Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Getting Started:
Database Essentials

Connection modes

OpenEdge databases run in one of two connection modes: single-user or multi-user. Connection modes control how many users can access a database simultaneously.

Single-user mode

A database running in single-user mode allows only one user to access a specified database at a time. If another user is already accessing a database, you cannot connect to that database from a different session.

Running a database in single-user mode is required when you perform system administration tasks that require exclusive access to the database.

Multi-user mode

A database running in multi-user mode enables more than one user to access it simultaneously. A broker coordinates all the database connection requests, and servers retrieve and store data on behalf of the clients. The broker process locks the database to prevent any other broker or single-user process from opening it.

Batch mode

When a client runs in batch mode, processing occurs without user interaction. Batch mode is convenient for large-scale database updates or procedures that can run unattended. Both single-user and multi-user processes can run in batch mode. Intensive multi-user batch jobs can degrade the response time for interactive users and should be scheduled to run at a time that will not negatively impact interactive users, often at night.

Interactive mode

When a client runs in interactive mode, the user interacts directly with an application connected to the database. Both single-user and multi-user processes can run in interactive mode.