File operations with multiple level file locking techniques

A computer readable medium or media having computer executable instructions for performing a method for file locking multi-user accessible files contained on a server, the server receiving write lock requests and read with intent to write lock requests but not read lock requests and read and write operations from a client and cooperating with a locking mechanism which sets and contains file lock status, the lock status including read, write and read with intent to write, the method comprising:

• receiving write lock requests and read with intent to write lock requests and read and write file operations from the client, where write lock requests precede write operations;
• providing read with intent to write lock requests to the locking mechanism if a read with intent to write request is received;
• providing a read with intent to write lock request to the locking mechanism on initial receipt of a write lock request, escalating the lock state to a write lock using an escalate lock request to the locking mechanism when a write operation is received, and reducing to a read with intent to write lock with a request to the locking mechanism when the write operation is completed;
• and
• providing a read lock request to the locking mechanism if a read operation is received without a prior read with intent to write lock request and providing a read lock release request to the locking mechanism at a time where the read operation is committed.