Explain the concept of thread starvation.

Thread starvation refers to a situation in which a thread is unable to make progress or complete its task due to insufficient access to resources or being constantly preempted by other threads. It occurs in concurrent programming when certain threads are given priority over others, leading to some threads being starved of the resources they need to execute.

There are several factors that can contribute to thread starvation. One common cause is when a higher-priority thread continuously acquires a lock or resource, preventing lower-priority threads from accessing it. This can result in lower-priority threads waiting indefinitely, unable to proceed with their execution.

Another factor that can lead to thread starvation is improper scheduling or priority assignment. If a scheduling algorithm favors certain threads over others, it can result in some threads being consistently delayed or preempted, causing them to starve for resources.

Thread starvation can also occur when a thread is waiting for a specific condition to be satisfied, such as a signal or event, but it never occurs. This can happen if the signaling mechanism is not properly implemented or if there is a bug in the code that prevents the condition from being met.

To mitigate thread starvation, it is important to ensure fair access to resources and avoid favoring certain threads over others. This can be achieved by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms, such as using locks or semaphores, and ensuring that threads are scheduled fairly based on their priority and resource requirements.

Additionally, it is crucial to carefully design the application and consider the potential bottlenecks or resource contention points. By identifying and addressing these issues early on, the likelihood of thread starvation can be minimized.

In conclusion, thread starvation occurs when a thread is unable to make progress or complete its task due to insufficient access to resources or being constantly preempted by other threads. It can be caused by factors such as resource contention, improper scheduling, or waiting for conditions that never occur. By implementing proper synchronization mechanisms and fair scheduling, thread starvation can be mitigated.