Database transactions Database transaction concepts and handling. Understanding database transactions This is an introduction to database transactions. BEGIN WORK Starts a database transaction in the current connection. SAVEPOINT Defines or resets the position of a rollback point in the current transaction. COMMIT WORK Validates and terminates a database transaction in the current connection. ROLLBACK WORK Cancels and terminates a database transaction in the current connection. RELEASE SAVEPOINT Destroys the specified savepoint in the current transaction. SET ISOLATION Defines the transaction isolation level for the current connection. SET LOCK MODE Defines the behavior of the program that tries to access a locked row or table.