Read-Modify-Write: The Optimistic Concurrency Pattern Most ORMs Get Wrong

📰 Dev.to · Gabriel Anhaia

Learn to implement the Read-Modify-Write pattern to prevent data loss in concurrent updates, a common issue in ORMs

intermediate Published 24 May 2026
Action Steps
  1. Identify potential concurrent update scenarios in your application
  2. Implement the Read-Modify-Write pattern using transactions or versioning
  3. Use a version number or timestamp to track changes and detect conflicts
  4. Handle conflicts by retrying the update or notifying the user
  5. Test your implementation to ensure data consistency and integrity
Who Needs to Know This

Backend developers and database administrators can benefit from this knowledge to prevent data inconsistencies and losses in their applications

Key Insight

💡 The Read-Modify-Write pattern can help prevent data loss by detecting and handling conflicts in concurrent updates

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🚨 Prevent data loss in concurrent updates with the Read-Modify-Write pattern! 🚨

Key Takeaways

Learn to implement the Read-Modify-Write pattern to prevent data loss in concurrent updates, a common issue in ORMs

Full Article

Two users update the same row at the same time. One write disappears. Your dashboard says everything is fine. Here's how to actually fix it.
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