Definitionv1DF-490
Deadlock
a structural coordination failure in multi-agent systems where two or more agents each wait for the other to release a resource, creating a circular dependency that prevents any agent from proceeding, with precise structural causes and solutions rather than motivational or personal failing
Why This Is a Definition
This definition clearly establishes the term 'deadlock' by naming it, identifying its genus (structural coordination failure), and stating its differentia (circular dependency preventing progress). It distinguishes deadlock from related concepts like motivation problems or laziness, and specifies both causes and solutions, making it precise enough to distinguish from related terms like 'stuckness' or 'procrastination'.