Livelock vs. Deadlock — What's the Difference?

It results from attempts to avoid deadlock through aggressive response algorithms.

Arises from poor resource management.

Characterized by non-productive activity loops.

Deadlock occurs when processes wait indefinitely for resources held by each other.

Requires intelligent system design to resolve or avoid.

Clearly detectable when system resources are visibly locked.

Livelock is a situation where processes continually respond to each other without progress.

Typically requires system intervention to resolve.

Often less obvious and harder to diagnose than deadlock.

Can be avoided by careful resource allocation strategies.

(computing) A state resembling deadlock in which various computational processes are constantly changing but never reach a point where any of them can proceed.

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.

(computing) To enter a state of livelock.

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

(Sports) A tied score.

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

Chiefly British A deadbolt.

To bring or come to a deadlock.

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

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

(intransitive) To cause or come to a deadlock.

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;

Deadlock is a condition where two or more processes are each waiting for the other to release a resource they need before they can proceed.

Deadlock can be detected by monitoring system processes for those that are stuck waiting indefinitely for resources.

Livelock can be resolved by modifying the involved processes so they stop responding repeatedly to each other without progressing.

An example of deadlock is two threads each waiting for locks held by the other, neither able to proceed.

Livelock is often caused by algorithms that are too aggressively trying to avoid deadlocks, leading to continuous state changes without progress.

Tools such as deadlock detection algorithms and resource allocation graphs are useful in identifying potential deadlocks.

Livelock is a situation where processes continually change their states in an effort to resolve a deadlock but make no actual progress.

Deadlock can be prevented by implementing careful resource allocation and process synchronization strategies.

Detecting livelock typically requires more sophisticated monitoring tools that can analyze the productivity of process activities.

An example of livelock could involve two traffic systems continuously adjusting their strategies to avoid congestion without improving traffic flow.

Livelock can be more challenging to resolve as it may require changes to the logic of the involved processes, whereas deadlock often just requires resource reallocation.

While both livelock and deadlock involve blocking of processes, livelock differs in that the processes remain active but ineffective.

While livelock does not usually cause system crashes, it can lead to severe performance degradation.

Livelocks are less common than deadlocks but can occur in complex systems where processes are heavily interdependent.

Effective system design can help in preventing both livelock and deadlock by ensuring proper resource management and process operation.