What is the LOCK method?
The LOCK method is a WebDAV extension (RFC 4918) used by clients to place a lock on a resource, granting the holder a lock token that guards against overwrites while editing.
API Usage & Best Practices
- Capture the lock token: A successful LOCK returns a lock token that you must supply on later writes to prove ownership.
- Refresh before expiry: Locks have a timeout, so reissue the LOCK to extend it if you need more time.
- Not idempotent: Repeating a LOCK can create a new lock or refresh an existing one, so the outcome differs between calls.
Common Response Codes
- 200 OK: The lock was granted and the response includes the lock token.
- 423 Locked: The resource is already locked by someone else and cannot be locked again.
