Check-in/Check-out
Check-in/check-out is the access control mechanism used by vaults and PDM systems to prevent concurrent edits to engineering files. A user checks out a file to gain write access (locking it to other writers), makes changes, then checks it back in to create a new revision and release the lock.
Why it matters
Check-in/check-out is the basic concurrency primitive for CAD data management. Without it, two engineers can open and overwrite the same part file simultaneously, creating a version conflict that may not be discovered until the parts are assembled or manufactured. It is the foundational capability of any vault or PDM system.
Related concepts
External References
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Check-in/Check-out.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/check-in-check-out