Abstract: A method of controlling access to a shared memory resource. Access is controlled according to a reader/writer lock protocol with a degree of reader/writer starvation set in accordance with a received starvation parameter. An intermediate degree of reader/writer starvation can be achieved by alternating between a reader starvation mode and a writer starvation mode. A new starvation mechanism is also described. The mechanism includes the steps of a) receiving a lock release request; b) determining whether a current lock holder is a reader or a writer; c) releasing the lock and assigning the lock to a waiting reader if step b) determines that the current lock holder is a reader; and d) releasing the lock and assigning the lock to a waiting reader if step b) determines that the current lock holder is a reader.