What are some examples of deadlocks in software?

What are some examples of deadlocks in software?

Deadlocks occur 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 a transfer. Meanwhile, another transaction locks the second account for a deposit and waits for the first account to be released. This creates 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 detecting deadlocks, such as thread analyzers and profilers that can monitor resource usage and identify potential deadlock situations.