Peterson’s Algorithm for Critical Section Problem
About Peterson’s Algorithm in OS
On this page, we will learn the concepts of Peterson’s algorithm for critical section problem in operating system.Peterson’s algorithm is a programming algorithm which allows multiple processes to use the same resource single handedly with the help of shared memory for communication.
Peterson’s Algorithm For Critical Section Problem –
- This is a software based solution to Critical Section Problem.
- Doesn’t work on modern architectures.
- It’s for 2 processes which alternate execution between then critical section and remainder section. Say, P1 is the first process and P2 is the second process.
- The 2 processes should share 2 data items with each other.
int turn
Boolean flag [2]
- Turn – It indicates the process who should enter into its critical section.
- Flag Array – It tells whether a process is ready to enter its critical section. Let flag[0] indicate process P1. If flag[0] = true , then Process P1 is ready to execute in its critical section. flag[1] indicates process P2. If flag[1] = true, then Process P2 is ready to execute in its critical section.
Now let’s take a look at peterson’s Algorithm –
do {
flag[i] = true;
turn = j;
while(flag[j]&& turn==j);
// Critical Section
flag[i]= false;
// Remainder Section
} While(true); - First , p1 sets flag[0] true, then sets turn to j . So that if P2 wants to enter Critical Section, it can do so.
- If P1 , P2 try to execute at same time, then turn is first changed to i, then j or it could be vice-versa. But, the important point is, only one of these 2 process is allowed to enter its critical section. The second value gets overwritten.
Features of Peterson’s Solution Algorithm –
- Does not require any special hardware.
- Uses Busy waiting ( Spinlock ).
What is Race Around Condition ?
If many kernel processes in OS, it may lead to race around condition.
Eg – Consider a kernel data structure that maintains a list of all open files in system. List is modified if a new file is opened or closed. If 2 process simultaneously try to open files , it may separate updates to list leading to race around condition
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