What are some examples of sequential consistency in distributed systems?

Can you explain sequential consistency with some examples?

Sequential consistency is a model in distributed systems where operations appear to be executed in a sequential order. For example, if two processes perform operations, the result should be as if they were executed one after the other.

Can you give a specific example involving two processes?

Sure! Imagine Process A writes 'X' and then Process B reads. If Process B sees 'X', it means the operations are sequentially consistent. If it sees 'Y' instead, that would violate the model.

What happens if the operations are not sequentially consistent?

If operations are not sequentially consistent, it can lead to confusion and errors, as different processes may see different states of the system, leading to unpredictable behavior.

Are there any real-world systems that implement this model?

Yes, many distributed databases and systems, like Amazon DynamoDB, aim for sequential consistency to ensure reliable data access and updates.