Can you explain what is meant by priority inversion in systems or algorithms?

Priority inversion is a situation where a task with a low priority blocks the execution of a task with a higher priority.

For example, in a multitasking system, there are two threads: one with high priority and another with low priority. If the low-priority thread has acquired a resource (such as a lock), and the high-priority thread tries to acquire the same resource and has to wait, then a priority inversion occurs — the high-priority thread is blocked because of the low-priority one.

This can lead to performance issues and delays. Solutions include mechanisms like priority inheritance, where the low-priority thread temporarily gains a higher priority to release the resource more quickly.