Define deadlock with example | 🔒 What is a Deadlock?
🔒 What is a Deadlock?
A deadlock is a situation in a multi-process
system where two or more processes are waiting for each other
indefinitely to release resources, and none of them can proceed.
In other words, each process is holding a resource and
waiting for another resource that is held by another process, causing a
circular waiting chain.
📌 Formal Definition
A deadlock occurs when a group of processes are each
waiting for resources that the other processes in the group are holding, and none
of them can proceed.
⚙️ Deadlock Conditions
For a deadlock to occur, all four of these conditions
must hold simultaneously (known as Coffman Conditions):
- Mutual
Exclusion – Only one process can use a resource at a time.
- Hold
and Wait – A process is holding at least one resource and waiting to
acquire additional resources held by others.
- No
Preemption – A resource cannot be forcibly taken from a process
holding it.
- Circular
Wait – A set of processes are waiting for each other in a circular
chain.
📚 Example of Deadlock
Let’s say we have:
- Process
A
- Process
B
- Resource
X
- Resource
Y
Scenario:
- Process
A has Resource X and needs Resource Y to finish.
- Process
B has Resource Y and needs Resource X to finish.
Now:
- A
waits for B to release Y.
- B
waits for A to release X.
Neither process can proceed—they're stuck waiting for
each other. This is a deadlock.
Diagram Representation:
Process A → holding Resource X → waiting for Resource Y
Process B → holding Resource Y → waiting for Resource X
This creates a circular wait, leading to deadlock.
🚫 Real-Life Analogy
Imagine two cars crossing a one-lane bridge from opposite
sides:
- Each
car waits for the other to back up.
- But
neither wants to move.
- Both
are stuck — a deadlock!
✅ Summary
Aspect |
Description |
Definition |
A state where processes wait forever for resources |
Cause |
Circular resource dependency |
Conditions |
Mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no preemption, circular
wait |
Resolution |
Avoid, prevent, detect, or recover from deadlock |
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Define deadlock with example
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