How do you go about locking database records in a web application app? Say User 1 selects a record to edit and User 2 selects that same record a few seconds later, how do you deny User 2? Update a field in the database? And say User 1 is on the edit screen for 20 minutes, made a couple of changes, but never clicked submit? Do you time them out? Do you save the record then time them out? Would ajax work here? Any suggestions on how one might due this? (Using Coldfusion 8 and MySQL 5)

(Boy, that's a lot of questions)

I just started a new job and we are currently using MS Access as our database. Yikes!!! Anyways, I have used MySQL in the past, but I was wondering should I give MSSQL a look?

What are the advantages of MSSQL over MySQL, or vice versa?

What are the disadvantages of MSSQL over MySQL, or vice versa?

Let the debate begin!