seniorT-SQL

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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