Deadlock

What Does Deadlock Mean?

In general computing, a deadlock is a situation where two different programs or processes depend on one another for completion, either because both are using the same resources or because of erroneous cues or other problems.

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Techopedia Explains Deadlock

Modern operating systems use various threads and multitasking for programs and processes. There are certain situations where the operating system may fail to manage a deadlock, causing processes to hang or freeze. Dealing with this is a major part of software engineering. For example, there can be a situation where two threads start and request resources from each other, and neither can go forward. This will require a significant observation of processes and changes that will work around these hangups.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…