The answer is that no immediate action is needed, because the database management system (DBMS) will automatically resolve the deadlock by rolling back one of the transactions. This automatic resolution occurs through a built-in deadlock detection mechanism that identifies the circular dependency between transactions; the DBMS then selects one transaction as a victim, aborts it, and releases its locks, allowing the other transaction to proceed. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this concept tests your understanding that database deadlock handling is an internal DBMS function, not a manual administrative task—a common trap is assuming the administrator must kill a process or restart the server. The key takeaway is that modern relational databases like SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL handle deadlock resolution automatically, so the correct response is to take no action. Memory tip: think "DBMS does the dirty work"—the database itself breaks the deadlock, so you can stay hands-off.
FC0-U61 Database Fundamentals Practice Question
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of database fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Database error log:
ERROR: deadlock detected
DETAIL: Process 1 waits for ShareLock on transaction 501; blocked by process 2.
Process 2 waits for ShareLock on transaction 500; blocked by process 1.
HINT: See server log for query details.
Refer to the exhibit. The database administrator sees this error in the log. Which action should the administrator take to resolve the deadlock?
Refer to the exhibit.
Database error log:
ERROR: deadlock detected
DETAIL: Process 1 waits for ShareLock on transaction 501; blocked by process 2.
Process 2 waits for ShareLock on transaction 500; blocked by process 1.
HINT: See server log for query details.
A
Increase the transaction isolation level to Serializable to prevent deadlocks.
Why wrong: Increasing isolation can actually increase deadlock likelihood, not reduce it.
B
Remove all indexes from the involved tables to reduce lock contention.
Why wrong: Removing indexes typically causes full table scans, which can increase lock duration and deadlock risk.
C
Manually kill one of the processes to break the deadlock.
Why wrong: While possible, the database typically resolves deadlocks automatically by aborting one transaction. Manual intervention is not normally required.
D
The database will automatically roll back one of the transactions; no immediate action is needed.
Most DBMSs detect deadlocks and automatically choose a victim transaction to roll back.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The database will automatically roll back one of the transactions; no immediate action is needed.
When a deadlock occurs in a database, the database management system (DBMS) automatically detects the circular dependency and selects one of the transactions as a victim, rolling it back to break the deadlock. This is a built-in mechanism in most relational databases, such as SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, and does not require manual intervention. Therefore, no immediate action is needed from the administrator, as the database will resolve the deadlock itself.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Increase the transaction isolation level to Serializable to prevent deadlocks.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing isolation can actually increase deadlock likelihood, not reduce it.
✗
Remove all indexes from the involved tables to reduce lock contention.
Why it's wrong here
Removing indexes typically causes full table scans, which can increase lock duration and deadlock risk.
✗
Manually kill one of the processes to break the deadlock.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the database typically resolves deadlocks automatically by aborting one transaction. Manual intervention is not normally required.
✓
The database will automatically roll back one of the transactions; no immediate action is needed.
Why this is correct
Most DBMSs detect deadlocks and automatically choose a victim transaction to roll back.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think manual intervention (killing a process) is required, but the exam tests the understanding that modern databases have automatic deadlock resolution built in, making option D the correct answer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Deadlock detection in databases typically uses a wait-for graph to identify cycles; when a cycle is found, the DBMS chooses a victim based on factors like transaction cost or age, and rolls it back with error code 1205 (in SQL Server) or ORA-00060 (in Oracle). The rolled-back transaction can then be retried by the application. In high-concurrency environments, administrators should focus on optimizing query execution plans and indexing strategies to minimize lock duration, rather than manually intervening.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Database Fundamentals — This question tests Database Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The database will automatically roll back one of the transactions; no immediate action is needed. — When a deadlock occurs in a database, the database management system (DBMS) automatically detects the circular dependency and selects one of the transactions as a victim, rolling it back to break the deadlock. This is a built-in mechanism in most relational databases, such as SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, and does not require manual intervention. Therefore, no immediate action is needed from the administrator, as the database will resolve the deadlock itself.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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