UNIX and Windows file locking

UNIX and Windows offer different file locking facilities. UNIX offers only rudimentary file locking, which isn't used by many applications. In contrast, Windows provides rich and flexible file locking.

Comparing Windows and UNIX file locking in detail reveals two important differences:

• UNIX doesn't allow open locks or opportunistic locks. Windows does.

• Windows uses 32-bit range locks, whereas UNIX is restricted to 31-bit range locks. Also, the NFS lock daemon becomes unreliable with range locks above 29 bits long.