What are some real-world examples of sequential consistency?

What are some real-world examples of sequential consistency?

Sequential consistency is a model in distributed systems where operations appear to be executed in a sequential order. A common example is a banking system where multiple transactions must be processed in a specific order to maintain account integrity.

Can you give me a specific example involving a bank transaction?

Sure! Imagine two transactions: one that transfers $100 from Account A to Account B, and another that checks the balance of Account A. If these operations are executed sequentially, the balance check will reflect the updated amount after the transfer. If they are not, the balance check might show the old amount, leading to inconsistencies.

What happens if sequential consistency is not maintained?

If sequential consistency is not maintained, it can lead to incorrect data states, such as overdrafts in bank accounts or lost updates in collaborative applications, causing significant issues in trust and reliability.

Are there any systems that guarantee sequential consistency?

Yes, some databases and distributed systems, like Google Spanner, provide mechanisms to ensure sequential consistency through techniques like distributed transactions and consensus algorithms.