Say it like this
- Let me commit this transaction
- We need to rollback the transaction
- The transaction failed midway
Use it at work
Database
- Wrap these updates in a transaction.
- The transaction rolled back because of an error.
Payments
- The transaction was declined.
- We process 10,000 transactions a day.
Debugging
- Long transactions are locking the table.
- The transaction never committed.
Don't say this
Transaction is a noun, not a verb. You do not 'transaction' something; you perform operations within a transaction.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. If the payment fails, we automatically _______ the entire _______.
2. Which sentence uses 'transaction' incorrectly?
3. Your colleague asks how to handle a failed database operation. What would you say?
4. Rewrite using 'transaction': 'When the user clicks pay, the money must come out of one account and go into another at the same time, or neither should happen.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let me commit this transaction"
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More about transaction
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"Yesterday I fixed a bug where transactions were not being rolled back properly on timeout."
- in a code review
"We should wrap this database operation in a transaction to ensure atomicity."
- in a team meeting
"If a transaction takes longer than five seconds, the system will automatically abort it to free up resources."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with 'transactional' (adjective). Also, do not use 'transaction' as a verb in tech contexts — it is only a noun.
- ✕The transaction was very transactional.✓The transaction succeeded, but it was not atomic.
'Transactional' is an adjective meaning involving multiple transactions or business interactions, not a description of a single transaction.
- ✕All our code use transactions.✓All our code uses transactions.
Use the correct verb conjugation with singular subject: 'use' not 'uses' if the subject is plural.
Other forms(3)
- transaction noun
"The database transaction completed successfully."
- transactions noun
"We process thousands of transactions per second."
- transactional adjective
"Our system uses a transactional database to ensure data consistency."
Often used with(5)
- commit a transaction · To finalize all changes in a transaction and make them permanent
- rollback a transaction · To undo all changes in a transaction if something goes wrong
- transaction ID · A unique identifier assigned to each transaction for tracking
- ACID transaction · A transaction that follows Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability principles
- database transaction · A transaction performed on data within a database system
Similar words(3)
- operation · Broader term; a transaction is a specific type of operation with atomicity guarantees
- query · A query asks for data; a transaction modifies it as an atomic unit
- task · Very general; transaction is specific to database and system contexts
Questions(5)
- What does transaction mean in software engineering?
- A transaction is a sequence of database or system operations grouped together as a single, indivisible unit. Either all operations succeed and are saved (committed), or all are undone (rolled back). This ensures data integrity and consistency.
- How do you use transaction in a sentence at work?
- You might say: 'We need to wrap this code in a transaction to ensure atomicity' or 'If the payment fails, rollback the transaction.' The term is used both as a noun subject and in verb phrases like 'commit a transaction.'
- Is transaction formal or informal?
- Transaction is neutral and professional. It is used in formal documentation, code reviews, and casual team conversations equally. It is standard technical vocabulary in the industry.
- What is the difference between a transaction and a query?
- A query retrieves or reads data from a database. A transaction is a sequence of operations (reads or writes) treated as one atomic unit. Transactions ensure that changes are either fully applied or not applied at all.
- Why are transactions important in databases?
- Transactions prevent data corruption and inconsistency. If a system crashes or an error occurs mid-operation, a transaction ensures that partial changes are undone, maintaining the integrity of your data.
