What are some examples of deadlock in software?

What are some examples of deadlock in software?

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 when Process A holds Resource 1 and waits for Resource 2, while Process B holds Resource 2 and waits for Resource 1.

Can you give me a real-world scenario where this happens?

Sure! Imagine a banking system where one transaction locks a user's account for withdrawal while waiting for a lock on another account for deposit. Meanwhile, the second transaction is waiting for the first to release its lock, causing a deadlock.

How can developers prevent deadlocks?

Developers can prevent deadlocks by using techniques like resource ordering, where resources are always acquired in a predefined order, or by implementing timeouts that allow processes to back off and retry.

Are there tools to detect deadlocks?

Yes, there are several tools available for deadlock detection, such as thread analyzers and profilers that can monitor resource usage and identify potential deadlocks in real-time.