How to explicitly lock a table in Microsoft SQL Server (looking for a hack - uncooperative client)

Question

This was my original question:

I am trying to figure out how to enforce EXCLUSIVE table locks in SQL Server. I need to work around uncooperative readers (beyond m

Answer 1

Add a locking hint to your SELECT:

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM artist WITH (TABLOCKX)

and put your INSERT into a transaction.

If your initial statement is in an explicit transaction, the SELECT will wait for a lock before it processes.