How does exponential backoff work?

Can you explain how exponential backoff works?

Exponential backoff is a strategy used in network communications to manage retries after a failure. It involves increasing the wait time between retries exponentially.

Why is exponential backoff preferred over linear backoff?

Exponential backoff reduces network congestion by increasing the wait time, allowing the system to recover before retrying, which is more efficient than linear backoff.

Can you give me an example of where it's used?

It's commonly used in protocols like TCP and in APIs to handle rate limiting, where clients back off after receiving a 'too many requests' response.

What are the potential downsides of using exponential backoff?

One downside is that it can lead to longer wait times, which may not be ideal for time-sensitive applications. Additionally, if not configured properly, it can cause delays in recovery.