What are some real-world examples of deadlock?

What are some real-world examples of deadlock?

Deadlock occurs when two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. A classic example is the dining philosophers problem, where philosophers must share forks to eat.

Can you explain the dining philosophers problem in more detail?

Sure! In the dining philosophers problem, five philosophers sit at a table with a fork between each pair. Each philosopher needs both forks to eat, but if they all pick up the fork on their right simultaneously, they will be stuck waiting for the left fork, causing a deadlock.

Are there any solutions to prevent deadlock in such scenarios?

Yes, one common solution is to impose an ordering on resource acquisition. For example, if all philosophers must pick up the lower-numbered fork first, it prevents circular wait conditions that lead to deadlock.

What are some other real-world systems where deadlock can occur?

Deadlock can occur in database systems, where transactions wait for each other to release locks, or in operating systems when multiple processes compete for limited resources.