A simple distributed deadlock detection algorithm

Abstract

The authors introduce a simple and basic distributed deadlock detection and resolution algorithm for the one-resource model of a distributed database system. The distribution database model upon which the algorithm is based is the model introduced by D.A. Menasce and R.R. Muntz (1979). The main contribution is the use of automata theory for modeling the formal specification of the algorithm. This mathematical model allows the development of an elegant and short proof of correctness. The algorithm reports all true deadlocks and generates a unique candidate for resolving the deadlock.<>