How do Paxos and Raft differ in consensus algorithms?

What are the main differences between Paxos and Raft?

Paxos and Raft are both consensus algorithms, but they differ in design and implementation. Paxos is more complex and less intuitive, while Raft was designed to be easier to understand and implement.

Can you explain how each algorithm handles leader election?

In Paxos, leader election is implicit and can be complex, as any node can propose a value. In Raft, leader election is explicit, and nodes elect a leader through a voting process, making it more straightforward.

Which one is more widely used in practice?

Raft is often preferred in practice due to its simplicity and ease of understanding, making it popular in distributed systems like etcd and Consul.

Are there any scenarios where Paxos is better than Raft?

Paxos can be more suitable in environments where its theoretical guarantees are critical, especially in systems that require high fault tolerance and consistency.