What are the differences between circuit breaker and retry patterns?

What are the differences between circuit breaker and retry patterns?

The circuit breaker pattern prevents an application from repeatedly trying to execute an operation that's likely to fail, while the retry pattern attempts to execute an operation multiple times before giving up.

Can you give me an example of when to use each pattern?

Sure! Use the circuit breaker when you expect a service to be down for a while, and you want to avoid overwhelming it. Use the retry pattern for transient errors, like network timeouts, where a quick retry might succeed.

What are the benefits of using these patterns?

The circuit breaker pattern improves system stability and responsiveness, while the retry pattern increases the chances of success for temporary issues.

Are there any downsides to using these patterns?

Yes, the circuit breaker can lead to missed opportunities if a service is actually back up but still being blocked. The retry pattern can cause increased load on services if not managed properly.