How does eventual consistency work?

Can you explain what eventual consistency means in distributed systems?

Sure! 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.

How does it differ from strong consistency?

In strong consistency, all nodes see the same data at the same time, ensuring immediate consistency after a write. Eventual consistency, on the other hand, allows for temporary discrepancies between nodes, but guarantees that they will eventually become consistent.

What are some use cases for eventual consistency?

Eventual consistency is often used in systems like social media feeds, online shopping carts, and distributed databases where high availability and partition tolerance are prioritized over immediate consistency.

Are there any drawbacks to using eventual consistency?

Yes, the main drawback is that users may see stale data for a period of time, which can lead to confusion or errors in applications that require real-time accuracy.