Application development > Locking > Database handle layer

One step down in BDE's locking hierarchy is the database handle layer. Although no locks are explicitly owned by the database handle, the share mode assigned to the database when it is opened determines whether tables within that database can be opened exclusively or shared. If the database is opened in share mode, then tables within that database can be opened either in exclusive or share mode. If the database is opened in exclusive mode, then all tables will be opened in exclusive mode, even if other users attempt to open the table in share mode.

When the database is closed, all resources allocated to the database handle are released, including table cursors and table locks owned by these cursors.

Also see Native handles.