Non-blocking algorithms are designed to allow multiple threads to operate on shared data without causing delays or waiting for each other. This means that even if one thread is busy, others can continue their work, improving overall system efficiency. These algorithms are particularly useful in environments where high performance and responsiveness are critical. There are several types of non-blocking algorithms, including lock-free and wait-free algorithms. Lock-free algorithms ensure that at least one thread will make progress, while wait-free algorithms guarantee that every thread will complete its operation in a finite number of steps. These properties help prevent issues like deadlock and starvation.