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Which of the following statements about deadlock prevention in the Dining Philosophers problem is INCORRECT?

medium🐞 Bug Identification Q14 of Q15
Operating Systems - Dining Philosophers - Problem, Deadlock & Solution
Which of the following statements about deadlock prevention in the Dining Philosophers problem is INCORRECT?
AUsing asymmetric fork picking (odd philosophers pick left first, even pick right first) guarantees no starvation
BAllowing a philosopher to pick up both forks only if both are available prevents deadlock
CImposing a strict ordering on resource acquisition always prevents deadlock
DBreaking one of the four Coffman conditions is sufficient to prevent deadlock
Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Step 1: Analyze each statement

    Imposing a strict ordering on resource acquisition always prevents deadlock is correct: ordering resources prevents circular wait; Allowing a philosopher to pick up both forks only if both are available prevents deadlock is correct: atomic acquisition avoids partial hold; Breaking one of the four Coffman conditions is sufficient to prevent deadlock is correct: breaking any Coffman condition prevents deadlock.

  2. Step 2: Evaluate Using asymmetric fork picking (odd philosophers pick left first, even pick right first) guarantees no starvation

    Asymmetric fork picking prevents deadlock but does not guarantee no starvation, as some philosophers may be repeatedly delayed.

  3. Final Answer:

    Option A -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Only Using asymmetric fork picking (odd philosophers pick left first, even pick right first) guarantees no starvation incorrectly claims starvation is guaranteed prevented.
Quick Trick: Deadlock prevention ≠ starvation prevention [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Assuming deadlock prevention implies starvation freedom
  • Believing asymmetric picking solves all synchronization issues
  • Confusing Coffman conditions with starvation conditions
Trap Explanation:
PITFALL
  • Option C is tempting because asymmetric picking is a known deadlock prevention technique, but it does not guarantee starvation freedom, unlike the other statements which are accurate.
Interviewer Note:
CONTEXT
  • Tests candidate's ability to distinguish deadlock prevention from starvation prevention and understand Coffman conditions.
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