How does sequential consistency work?

Can you explain what sequential consistency means in distributed systems?

Sequential consistency is a memory model where operations appear to be executed in a sequential order, ensuring that all processes see the same order of operations.

How does it differ from other consistency models?

Unlike linearizability, which requires operations to appear instantaneous, sequential consistency allows for some flexibility in the order of operations as long as the overall sequence is preserved.

What are the practical implications of using sequential consistency?

Using sequential consistency can simplify reasoning about program behavior, but it may lead to performance trade-offs due to potential delays in operation visibility.

Can you give an example of a system that uses sequential consistency?

One example is the Amazon DynamoDB, which provides a form of sequential consistency to ensure that all clients see the same order of updates.