Process Synchronisation — Message-Based Approaches

Abstract

The major problem when using mechanisms such as semaphores, as described in chapter 10, is that the primitive nature of a semaphore leaves considerable scope for errors in synchronisation and the potential for deadlocks. An alternative approach is that provided by message-based systems, which try to provide operations more closely suited to the needs of developing operating system modules. The synchronisation is performed ‘behind the scenes’ by higher level mechanisms, which are not susceptible to time dependencies.