Java Deadlock Example and Solution

1. Deadlock

In Java, a deadlock is a situation where minimum two threads are holding the lock on some different resource, and both are waiting for the other’s resource to complete its task. And, none is able to leave the lock on the resource it is holding.

ResolveDeadLockTest.java
package thread;
 
public class ResolveDeadLockTest {
 
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    ResolveDeadLockTest test = new ResolveDeadLockTest();
 
    final A a = test.new A();
    final B b = test.new B();
 
    // Thread-1
    Runnable block1 = new Runnable() {
      public void run() {
        synchronized (a) {
          try {
            // Adding delay so that both threads can start trying to
            // lock resources
            Thread.sleep(100);
          } catch (InterruptedException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
          }
          // Thread-1 have A but need B also
          synchronized (b) {
            System.out.println("In block 1");
          }
        }
      }
    };
 
    // Thread-2
    Runnable block2 = new Runnable() {
      public void run() {
        synchronized (b) {
          // Thread-2 have B but need A also
          synchronized (a) {
            System.out.println("In block 2");
          }
        }
      }
    };
 
    new Thread(block1).start();
    new Thread(block2).start();
  }
 
  // Resource A
  private class A {
    private int i = 10;
 
    public int getI() {
      return i;
    }
 
    public void setI(int i) {
      this.i = i;
    }
  }
 
  // Resource B
  private class B {
    private int i = 20;
 
    public int getI() {
      return i;
    }
 
    public void setI(int i) {
      this.i = i;
    }
  }
}

Running above code will result in a deadlock for very obvious reasons (explained above). Now we have to solve this issue.

2. How to avoid deadlock

I believe, the solution to any problem lies in identifying the root of the problem. In our case, it is the pattern of accessing the resources A and B, is main issue. So, to solve it, we will simply re-order the statements where the code is accessing shared resources.

ResolveDeadLockTest.java
     // Thread-1
Runnable block1 = new Runnable() {
  public void run() {
    synchronized (b) {
      try {
        // Adding delay so that both threads can start trying to
        // lock resources
        Thread.sleep(100);
      } catch (InterruptedException e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
      }
      // Thread-1 have A but need B also
      synchronized (a) {
        System.out.println("In block 1");
      }
    }
  }
};
 
// Thread-2
Runnable block2 = new Runnable() {
  public void run() {
    synchronized (b) {
      // Thread-2 have B but need A also
      synchronized (a) {
        System.out.println("In block 2");
      }
    }
  }
};

Run again above class, and you will not see any deadlock kind of situation. I hope, it will help you in avoiding deadlocks, and if encountered, in resolving them.

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