What are deadlocks and how can I avoid them?

What are deadlocks and how can I avoid them?

Deadlocks occur when two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. To avoid them, you can use techniques like resource ordering, timeout mechanisms, or deadlock detection algorithms.

Can you explain resource ordering?

Resource ordering involves assigning a global order to resources and ensuring that processes request resources in that order. This prevents circular wait conditions, which are a common cause of deadlocks.

What are some examples of deadlock situations?

A classic example is the dining philosophers problem, where philosophers need two forks to eat but can only pick one at a time, leading to potential deadlocks.

How can I implement a timeout mechanism?

You can implement a timeout by setting a limit on how long a process can wait for a resource. If the timeout is reached, the process can release its resources and retry after a short delay.