SAS EG8.3 - How does the 'unlock open data after inactivity (minutes)' feature affect use of data?

[SAS_Brizvegas]

I've recently moved from SAS EG 7.1 to 8.3 and have encountered the functionality where output data tables now 'unlock' after a certain number of minutes of inactivity (see photo below).

This setting can be disabled by un-checking the corresponding option, or delayed by extending the minutes before it takes effect. 

My question is, what utility does this offer, and what impact might disabling the option have? For instance, if another program selects data from the output data table, will having the setting un-checked cause unintended results?  

I'm also confused by SAS' use of the term 'unlock'. The documentation  states that the unlock open data setting: "Specifies how long SAS Enterprise Guide waits before releasing the lock on an idle open data set. A data set becomes idle if you have had no recent interaction with it, including mouse moves, mouse clicks, edits, refreshes, or scrolling. The default value is 3 minutes" 

What does 'releasing the lock' entail? If the setting to unlock open data is un-checked, would that not imply the lock is always on? 

Any help is appreciated. 

[SASKiwi · Accepted solution]

If you open a SAS table in EG's "View Table", a lock is applied by SAS to the OS (Operating System) file, the SAS table is stored in. That means another process cannot change or delete that file. For example if you try to run a SAS program in EG updating the table then it will fail with an error saying the table is open in another process.

The EG Unlock feature helps avoid this happening. The View Table can remain open, but SAS removes the OS file lock, so other processes can update or even delete the table, after the specified idle period. If you deselect that feature then the table will remain locked as long as your View Table window is open and other processes won't be able to update it. In my experience, this feature is very useful as when you are viewing the impacts of executing code changes you want to see that immediately in an open View Table window and not have to close and reopen it all the time to update it and then view the changes.

[SAS_Brizvegas]

Thanks very much SASKiwi! With that explanation and some playing around I've got a much better grasp on this. Cheers