What is eventual consistency in distributed systems?

What is eventual consistency in distributed systems?

Eventual consistency is a consistency model used in distributed systems where updates to a data item will eventually propagate to all nodes, ensuring that all copies of the data will converge to the same value over time.

Can you give me an example of where this is used?

Sure! A common example is in distributed databases like Amazon DynamoDB, where data is replicated across multiple nodes. If one node is updated, it may take some time for other nodes to reflect that change.

What are the advantages of using eventual consistency?

The main advantages include improved availability and performance, as systems can continue to operate even if some nodes are temporarily unreachable.

Are there any drawbacks to eventual consistency?

Yes, the main drawback is that it can lead to temporary inconsistencies, which may not be suitable for applications requiring strong consistency.