Deadlock vs. Impasse — What's the Difference?

A situation where no progress can be made due to mutual dependencies.

A point in a negotiation where no agreement can be reached.

A situation where conflict prevents any further action.

A standstill due to conflicting demands.

A computing condition where two or more processes are unable to proceed.

A deadlock in discussions or negotiations.

A standstill caused by opposing parties blocking each other's progress.

A situation where progress is halted due to disagreement.

In concurrent computing, a deadlock is a state in which each member of a group waits for another member, including itself, to take action, such as sending a message or more commonly releasing a lock. Deadlocks are a common problem in multiprocessing systems, parallel computing, and distributed systems, where software and hardware locks are used to arbitrate shared resources and implement process synchronization.In an operating system, a deadlock occurs when a process or thread enters a waiting state because a requested system resource is held by another waiting process, which in turn is waiting for another resource held by another waiting process.

A situation where no solution or agreement seems possible.

A standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces or factions.

A bargaining impasse occurs when the two sides negotiating an agreement are unable to reach an agreement and become deadlocked. An impasse is almost invariably mutually harmful, either as a result of direct action which may be taken such as a strike in employment negotiation or sanctions/military action in international relations, or simply due to the resulting delay in negotiating a mutually beneficial agreement.

(Sports) A tied score.

A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac.

(Computers) A failure or inability to proceed due to two programs or devices both requiring a response from the other before completing an operation.

A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate

Chiefly British A deadbolt.

A road with no exit; a cul-de-sac.

To bring or come to a deadlock.

(figurative) A deadlock or stalemate situation in which no progress can be made.

A standstill resulting from the opposition of two evenly matched forces; a stalemate or impasse.

An impassable road or way; a blind alley; cul-de-sac; fig., a position or predicament affording no escape.

(computing) An inability to continue due to two programs or devices each requiring a response from the other before completing an operation.

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible;

(intransitive) To cause or come to a deadlock.

A street with only one way in or out

A lock which is not self-latching, but requires a key to throw the bolt forward.

A counteraction of things, which produces an entire stoppage; a complete obstruction of action.

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible;

An operational stalemate caused by resource contention.

Deadlock is often resolved through external intervention, process redesign, or breaking the mutual dependencies.

A deadlock is a situation where progress is halted because two or more processes or parties are waiting for each other to act.

Primarily, yes, impasse is most commonly used in the context of negotiations or discussions.

Yes, deadlock can occur in any scenario where mutual dependencies prevent progress, such as project management.

An impasse is a point in a negotiation or discussion where no agreement can be reached due to conflicting positions.

Impasse is typically resolved through negotiation strategies, compromise, or mediation.

Deadlock is the term used in computing to describe processes stuck waiting for each other.

Impasse is commonly used in labor disputes to describe a negotiation stalemate.

Impasse can sometimes be avoided with effective negotiation and communication strategies.

Yes, deadlock is often used as a technical term in computing and engineering.

Yes, deadlock specifically involves mutual blocking where each party is waiting for the other.

Yes, an impasse implies that no progress can be made due to the lack of agreement.

Yes, deadlock can often be prevented through careful planning and resource management.

Impasse can be used in legal contexts, particularly in labor law and dispute resolution.

Yes, both deadlock and impasse imply a halt in progress, though in different contexts.