In an embodiment, a database interface performs a three-step optimistic database access. The database interface initially performs an optimistic read of a database object. The database object is checked for consistency after the optimistic read. If the database object is inconsistent, a first pessimistic read is performed with an isolation level that does not guarantee consistency (e.g., with an isolation level of committed read). The database object is checked again for consistency after the first pessimistic read. If the database object is inconsistent, a second pessimistic read is performed with an isolation level that may guarantee consistency (e.g., with an isolation level of repeatable read).