What is the difference between consistency and availability in databases?

What is the difference between consistency and availability in databases?

In databases, consistency ensures that all transactions are processed reliably, while availability means that the system is operational and accessible.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of consistency is a banking system where all account balances are updated immediately after a transaction. Availability is like a web service that remains online even if some data is temporarily inconsistent.

How do these concepts relate to the CAP theorem?

The CAP theorem states that in a distributed data store, you can only achieve two out of three guarantees: Consistency, Availability, and Partition Tolerance. This means if you prioritize consistency, you may sacrifice availability and vice versa.

What are some real-world applications of these principles?

Real-world applications include financial systems prioritizing consistency, while social media platforms may prioritize availability to ensure users can always access the service.