What are the main causes of deadlocks in computer systems?

What are the main causes of deadlocks in computer systems?

Deadlocks occur when two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. The main causes include mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no preemption, and circular wait.

Can you explain mutual exclusion in more detail?

Mutual exclusion is a condition where resources cannot be shared among processes. If one process is using a resource, others must wait until it is released, which can lead to deadlocks if not managed properly.

What can be done to prevent deadlocks?

To prevent deadlocks, strategies include avoiding mutual exclusion, implementing a wait-die scheme, or using resource allocation graphs to detect potential deadlocks before they occur.

Are there any real-world examples of deadlocks?

Yes, a common example is in database systems where two transactions are waiting for each other to release locks on data, causing a standstill.