What are livelock and deadlock in computer systems?

What are livelock and deadlock in computer systems?

Livelock and deadlock are both conditions that can occur in concurrent systems. Deadlock happens when two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. Livelock, on the other hand, occurs when processes continuously change states in response to each other without making progress.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! In a deadlock scenario, imagine two printers and two computers. If Computer A is using Printer 1 and needs Printer 2, while Computer B is using Printer 2 and needs Printer 1, they will be stuck waiting for each other. For livelock, consider two people trying to pass each other in a narrow hallway. If they both step aside to let the other pass but keep stepping aside in response to each other, they never actually get past.

How can we prevent deadlock?

Deadlock can be prevented by ensuring that at least one of the necessary conditions for deadlock cannot hold. This can be achieved through strategies like resource allocation graphs, avoiding circular wait, or using timeouts.

What tools can help detect livelock?

Detecting livelock can be challenging, but tools like performance monitoring systems and logging can help identify patterns of resource contention and process states that indicate livelock.