DEADLOCK_WAIT defines the number of seconds that a lock request must wait before the system initiates a deadlock search on behalf of that lock. Setting DEADLOCK_WAIT to zero disables deadlock checking. Setting DEADLOCK_WAIT to a value greater than zero and less than the default setting provides faster detection of deadlocks but requires more CPU usage. The DEADLOCK_WAIT value is expressed in seconds; therefore, the smallest value you can set is 1 second. A sub-second deadlock wait time, which may be set using the system service $SET_PROCESS_PROPERTIESW item code $PPROP$C_DEADLOCK_WAIT, overrides DEADLOCK_WAIT. For more information, see the $SET_PROCESS_PROPERTIESW system service in VSI OpenVMS System Services Reference Manual. DEADLOCK_WAIT is a DYNAMIC parameter.