How do Raft and Paxos compare in distributed systems?

What are the main differences between Raft and Paxos?

Raft is designed to be more understandable and easier to implement than Paxos. While both are consensus algorithms, Raft organizes the process into leader election, log replication, and safety, making it more intuitive.

Which one is more widely used in practice?

Raft is often preferred in modern systems due to its simplicity and clarity, while Paxos is more theoretical and has been used in systems like Google Chubby.

Can you explain how leader election works in Raft?

In Raft, a leader is elected through a voting process. Nodes can become candidates and request votes from other nodes. The first candidate to receive a majority of votes becomes the leader.

What are the advantages of using Raft over Paxos?

Raft's advantages include easier implementation, better understandability, and a clear structure for handling log replication and leader election.