What is the difference between wait-free and lock-free algorithms?

What is the difference between wait-free and lock-free algorithms?

Wait-free algorithms guarantee that every thread will complete its operation in a finite number of steps, while lock-free algorithms ensure that at least one thread will make progress, but others may be delayed.

Can you give an example of each?

Sure! An example of a wait-free algorithm is the Michael-Scott queue, which allows multiple threads to enqueue and dequeue without waiting. A lock-free example is the Treiber stack, which uses atomic operations to manage stack operations.

What are the advantages of using wait-free algorithms?

The main advantage of wait-free algorithms is that they provide strong guarantees on response times, making them suitable for real-time systems where delays are unacceptable.

Are there any downsides to using lock-free algorithms?

Yes, lock-free algorithms can be more complex to implement and may lead to starvation for some threads, as they do not guarantee that every thread will complete its operation.