A method for optimistic locking. An integer column is added to a database table. A Structured Query Language statement is constructed and prepared to form a prepared Structured Query Language statement, wherein a result set of the prepared Structured Query Language statement includes the integer column. Any required parameter information is set in the prepared Structured Query Language statement. The prepared Structured Query Language statement is executed in a database transaction. A unique key associated with an element of the result set of the prepared Structured Query Language statement is determined. The row of the database table that the unique key is associated with is determined. A value in the integer column of the determined row is determined. The value in the integer column of the determined row is stored to form a stored value associated with the unique key, wherein the stored value ceases to exist when the database transaction ends.