What are the best practices for implementing exponential backoff?

What are the best practices for implementing exponential backoff?

Exponential backoff is a strategy for handling retries in network communications. Best practices include starting with a small delay, increasing the delay exponentially with each retry, and setting a maximum delay limit.

Can you give me an example of how to implement it in code?

Sure! In Python, you might use a loop that increases the wait time after each failed attempt, like this:

import time
import random

def exponential_backoff(retries):
    for i in range(retries):
        wait_time = min(2 ** i + random.uniform(0, 1), 60)  # cap at 60 seconds
        time.sleep(wait_time)
        # Attempt your operation here

What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Common mistakes include not capping the maximum wait time, retrying too quickly, or not implementing a jitter to avoid thundering herd problems.

How does exponential backoff compare to linear backoff?

Exponential backoff increases the wait time exponentially, which can reduce congestion more effectively than linear backoff, which adds a constant delay.