Definition
Resource Types
In deadlock analysis, the OS distinguishes between two resource types: renewable and consumable.
Renewable Resources
Renewable
Can be used by only one process at a time, not depleted by use. Processes request → use → release cycle.
Examples:
- Hardware: CPU, memory, I/O devices
- Software: Process Table, files, databases (via mutual exclusion)
Deadlock Potential: Processes hold some resources and request others held by different processes.
Consumable Resources
Consumable
Created (produced) and destroyed (consumed). No fixed total — exist only until used.
Examples:
- Interrupts, signals, messages
- Data in buffers
Deadlock Potential: Process waits for a message that will never be sent by another blocked process.