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Home»Software Development»Backend Development»7 Common Mistakes in Database Transaction Management
Backend Development

7 Common Mistakes in Database Transaction Management

Arunangshu DasBy Arunangshu DasFebruary 23, 2025Updated:June 27, 2025No Comments4 Mins Read
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Database transactions are the backbone of modern applications, ensuring data consistency, reliability, and integrity. However, improper transaction management can lead to data corruption, performance bottlenecks, and even system failures.

7 Common Mistakes in Database Transaction Management

1. Not Using Transactions When Needed

The Mistake

Many developers forget to wrap multiple related database operations in a transaction. If an error occurs midway, only some changes might be applied, leaving the database in an inconsistent state.

Example:
Consider a bank transfer where we withdraw money from one account and deposit it into another:

If the first statement executes but the second one fails (e.g., due to a network issue), the money disappears!

The Fix

Wrap related operations in a transaction so that they either all succeed or all fail:

If anything goes wrong, roll back the transaction:

2. Holding Transactions Open for Too Long

The Mistake

A transaction should be kept open only for the shortest time necessary. Keeping transactions open too long locks database rows, which can cause performance issues and deadlocks.

Example:
Imagine a transaction that updates an order status but also performs an expensive report generation:

The order row is locked for 30 seconds, blocking other queries!

The Fix

Keep transactions short and fast. Move expensive operations outside the transaction:

3. Not Handling Deadlocks Properly

The Mistake

Deadlocks happen when two or more transactions hold locks on resources the other needs. If not handled, your application might hang or fail unexpectedly.

Example:
Two transactions update the same two rows in a different order:

If both transactions run at the same time, a deadlock occurs!

The Fix

  1. Use consistent locking order – Always update rows in the same order across transactions.
  2. Catch deadlocks and retry:

4. Ignoring Isolation Levels

The Mistake

Many developers don’t specify isolation levels, leading to data inconsistencies like dirty reads, non-repeatable reads, and phantom reads.

Example:
If a transaction reads a value before another transaction commits it, it might get an inconsistent result:

Transaction 2 might read an incorrect stock value before Transaction 1 commits!

The Fix

Use the appropriate isolation level:

Common isolation levels:

  • READ UNCOMMITTED – Can see uncommitted changes (not recommended).
  • READ COMMITTED – Prevents dirty reads.
  • REPEATABLE READ – Prevents non-repeatable reads.
  • SERIALIZABLE – The strictest level, preventing all anomalies.

5. Not Using Indexes Efficiently in Transactions

The Mistake

Transactions often involve searching and updating rows. If the relevant columns aren’t indexed, the database scans entire tables, making transactions slow.

Example:
A query without an index:

If customer_id isn’t indexed, this query will scan every order in the table before updating!

The Fix

Index the columns used in transactions:

This makes transactions faster and more efficient.

6. Using Too Many Transactions

The Mistake

Some developers overuse transactions, wrapping every tiny operation in a separate transaction, increasing overhead.

Example:
Updating multiple rows one-by-one:

Each BEGIN and COMMIT adds processing time!

The Fix

Batch updates in a single transaction:

7. Ignoring ACID Principles in Distributed Databases

The Mistake

When working with distributed databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, or microservices with multiple databases), developers assume transactions work the same way as in relational databases.

Example:
Updating two separate databases in a microservices architecture:

  1. Inventory Service: Deducts stock.
  2. Order Service: Confirms the order.

If one update succeeds but the other fails, you get inconsistent data.

The Fix

For distributed transactions:

  1. Use Two-Phase Commit (2PC) in SQL-based distributed systems.

  2. Use the SAGA pattern in microservices:

    • Compensating transactions roll back changes if something fails.
    • Example: If payment processing fails, the inventory service reverses stock deductions.
7 Common Mistakes in Database Transaction Management CTA

Conclusion

Proper transaction management is essential for data consistency, performance, and system reliability. Avoiding these seven mistakes can prevent data corruption, deadlocks, and slow performance.

Key Takeaways:

→ Always use transactions when updating multiple records.
→ Keep transactions short to avoid locks.
→ Handle deadlocks by using consistent locking orders and retries.
→ Choose the right isolation level for your use case.
→ Use indexes to speed up transactions.
→ Batch updates instead of using too many small transactions.
→ Handle distributed transactions properly with 2PC or the SAGA pattern.

You may also like:

1) 5 Common Mistakes in Backend Optimization

2) 7 Tips for Boosting Your API Performance

3) How to Identify Bottlenecks in Your Backend

4) 8 Tools for Developing Scalable Backend Solutions

5) 5 Key Components of a Scalable Backend System

6) 6 Common Mistakes in Backend Architecture Design

7) 7 Essential Tips for Scalable Backend Architecture

8) Token-Based Authentication: Choosing Between JWT and Paseto for Modern Applications

9) API Rate Limiting and Abuse Prevention Strategies in Node.js for High-Traffic APIs

10) Can You Answer This Senior-Level JavaScript Promise Interview Question?

11) 5 Reasons JWT May Not Be the Best Choice

12) 7 Productivity Hacks I Stole From a Principal Software Engineer

13) 7 Common Mistakes in package.json Configuration

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