Two Mutual Exclusion Algorithms for Shared Memory

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce two algorithms that solve the mutual exclusion problem for concurrent processes that communicate through shared variables, [2]. Our algorithms guarantee that any process trying to enter the critical section, eventually, does enter it. They are formally proven to be correct. The first algorithm uses a special coordinator process in order to ensure equal chances to processes waiting for the critical section. In the second algorithm, with no coordinator, the process exiting the critical section is in charge to fairly elect the following one. In the case that no process is waiting, the turn is marked free and will be determined by future waiting processes. The type of shared variables used are a turn variable, readable and writable by all processes; and a flag array, readable by all with flag[i] writable only by process i. There is a version of the first algorithm where no writable by all variable is used. The bibliography reviewed for this paper is [4] and [3], all the rest is original work.