Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method by which a user of a functional resource in a software environment can determine whether any other users are waiting to acquire control of the functional resource. The functional resource has associated therewith, a placeholder resource that is a placeholder for users waiting to acquire control of the functional resource. The method includes inquiring by the user of the functional resource whether the placeholder resource is available for exclusive control by the user of the functional resource. If the placeholder resource is available for exclusive control, then no other users are waiting for control of the functional resource and so the current user can keep control of it. If, however, the placeholder resource is not available, that indicates to the user of the functional resource that at least one other user is waiting for control of the functional resource and so the user of the functional resource may release control of the functional resource.