Final answer:
The circular wait condition, which is a potential cause for deadlocks, can be prevented by defining a linear ordering of resource types.
Step-by-step explanation:
The circular wait condition can be prevented by defining a linear ordering of resource types. This strategy is used in operating systems to avoid deadlocks, a state where two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources. By predefining a global order in which all resources must be requested, the system can ensure that circular wait, one of the four necessary conditions for a deadlock, cannot occur. For example, if we have resource types R1, R2, and R3, we might assign an order where R1 < R2 < R3. A process would only be allowed to request resources in this order, thus making a circular wait among processes impossible.
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