k&b SCJP 6 Chapter 9: Threads self test q15

Following code is from K&B p769:



although I've slightly modified lines 9 & 11 to include the thread name in the output.

According to K&B's answer:

With either fragment, the first output must be yo.

I don't see why this must be so. I think that if the unsynchronized chat() is used, as above, then thread t1 could get to line 6 first & set the flag to its own id. Then, thread t2 could get some processor time and start executing chat(). The flag != 0 by now, so t2 leaves the flag unchanged and since the flag doesn't equal its own id, [dude] gets printed first.

In fact, running the program, occasionally [dude] does get printed first.

Maybe I should post to the 'Compiling errata for K&B, SCJP 6' thread, it's not currently mentioned there.

Richard, if you've not made any error in copying the code, then I agree the first output can be "dude" with fragment 2...

Thanks Ankit. I'd wondered if I'd misunderstood the question somehow.
I've added a post to the scjp 6 errata thread.