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A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y number of locks for ensuring mutual exclusion while operating on shared memory locations. All locks in the program are non-reentrant, i.e., if a thread holds a lock l, then it cannot re-acquire lock l without releasing it. If a thread is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. The minimum value of x and the minimum value of y together for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are:
  • a)
    x = 1, y = 2
  • b)
    x = 2, y = 1
  • c)
    x = 2, y = 2
  • d)
    x = 1, y = 1
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y...
Reentrant (Recursive) locks allow a thread to reacquire the lock. That means same process can claim the lock multiple times without blocking on itself. This prevents the thread from deadlocking itself. This is main advantage of reentrant locks over non-reentrant locks. 

Non-reentrant (Non- recursive) locks not allow a thread to reacquire the lock. That means same process can not claim the lock multiple times without releasing it. So, if a thread/process is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. This situation is deadlocked. 

Therefore, only one thread and only one lock can cause deadlock, if thread does try to reacquire lock.

When we have more than one process or one lock, then process/thread can acquire another lock to proceed further, or other process/thread can acquire lock to proceed further. 
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A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y...
Deadlock

Deadlock is a situation in which two or more threads are blocked forever, waiting for each other to release the resources they hold. Deadlocks can occur in multithreaded programs when there is a circular dependency among the threads and the locks they hold.

Minimum value of x and y for deadlock

In order for a deadlock to occur, we need a circular dependency among the threads and the locks they hold. Let's analyze the options given:

Option A: x = 1, y = 2
If we have only one thread (x = 1), there cannot be a circular dependency among the threads. Therefore, deadlock cannot occur with this option.

Option B: x = 2, y = 1
If we have two threads (x = 2), there can be a circular dependency among the threads, but since there is only one lock (y = 1), deadlock cannot occur. Both threads can acquire and release the lock without any issue.

Option C: x = 2, y = 2
If we have two threads (x = 2) and two locks (y = 2), there can be a circular dependency among the threads and the locks. For deadlock to occur, each thread must hold one lock and be waiting for the other lock. However, since the locks are non-reentrant, a thread cannot re-acquire the same lock without releasing it. Therefore, deadlock cannot occur with this option.

Option D: x = 1, y = 1
If we have only one thread (x = 1) and one lock (y = 1), there can be a circular dependency among the thread and the lock. The thread can acquire the lock and then wait for itself to release the lock, resulting in a deadlock.

Therefore, the minimum values of x and y for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are x = 1 and y = 1, which is option D.
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A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y number of locks for ensuring mutual exclusion while operating on shared memory locations. All locks in the program arenon-reentrant, i.e., if a thread holds a lock l, then it cannot re-acquire lock l without releasing it. If a thread is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. The minimum value of x and theminimumvalue of y together for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are:a)x = 1, y = 2b)x = 2, y = 1c)x = 2, y = 2d)x = 1, y = 1Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y number of locks for ensuring mutual exclusion while operating on shared memory locations. All locks in the program arenon-reentrant, i.e., if a thread holds a lock l, then it cannot re-acquire lock l without releasing it. If a thread is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. The minimum value of x and theminimumvalue of y together for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are:a)x = 1, y = 2b)x = 2, y = 1c)x = 2, y = 2d)x = 1, y = 1Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for GATE 2025 is part of GATE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GATE exam syllabus. Information about A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y number of locks for ensuring mutual exclusion while operating on shared memory locations. All locks in the program arenon-reentrant, i.e., if a thread holds a lock l, then it cannot re-acquire lock l without releasing it. If a thread is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. The minimum value of x and theminimumvalue of y together for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are:a)x = 1, y = 2b)x = 2, y = 1c)x = 2, y = 2d)x = 1, y = 1Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GATE 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for A multithreaded program P executes with x number of threads and uses y number of locks for ensuring mutual exclusion while operating on shared memory locations. All locks in the program arenon-reentrant, i.e., if a thread holds a lock l, then it cannot re-acquire lock l without releasing it. If a thread is unable to acquire a lock, it blocks until the lock becomes available. The minimum value of x and theminimumvalue of y together for which execution of P can result in a deadlock are:a)x = 1, y = 2b)x = 2, y = 1c)x = 2, y = 2d)x = 1, y = 1Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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