If two transactions have each acquired a read lock on a single row, the behavior when one of them attempts to modify that row depends on the setting of the blocking option. To modify the row, that transaction must block the other, yet it cannot do so while the other transaction has it blocked.

When the blocking option is set to Off, the statement terminates instead of waiting and any partial changes it has made are rolled back. In this event, try executing the transaction again, later.

Blocking is more likely to occur at higher isolation levels because more locking and more checking is done. Higher isolation levels usually provide less concurrency. How much less depends on the individual natures of the concurrent transactions.

For more information about the blocking option, see blocking option [database].