What is SQL Server internal deadlock detection graph cycle resolution algorithm?
Updated May 17, 2026
Short answer
SQL Server detects deadlocks by building a wait-for graph and finding cycles using graph traversal.
Deep explanation
SQL Server maintains a wait-for graph where nodes represent sessions and edges represent blocking relationships. When a cycle is detected, a deadlock is confirmed. SQL Server then evaluates victim selection based on rollback cost and priority. The graph is constructed in memory and periodically analyzed to detect circular dependencies efficiently.
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