Editing Linearizability (section)

=== Linearization points ===
This definition of linearizability is equivalent to the following:
* All function calls have a ''linearization point'' at some instant between their invocation and their response.
* All functions appear to occur instantly at their linearization point, behaving as specified by the sequential definition.

This alternative is usually much easier to prove. It is also much easier to reason about as a user, largely due to its intuitiveness. This property of occurring instantaneously, or indivisibly, leads to the use of the term ''atomic'' as an alternative to the longer "linearizable".<ref name=":0" />

In the examples below, the linearization point of the counter built on compare-and-swap is the linearization point of the first (and only) successful compare-and-swap update. The counter built using locking can be considered to linearize at any moment while the locks are held, since any potentially conflicting operations are excluded from running during that period.