What is the difference between sequential and strong consistency?

What is the difference between sequential and strong consistency?

Sequential consistency ensures that operations appear to be executed in some sequential order, while strong consistency guarantees that all operations are seen by all nodes in the same order.

Can you give an example of each?

Sure! In sequential consistency, if one user reads a value and then another user writes a new value, the first user might still see the old value. In strong consistency, the first user would see the new value immediately after it's written.

Which one is better for real-time applications?

Strong consistency is generally better for real-time applications because it ensures that all users see the same data at the same time, reducing confusion.

Are there any trade-offs with strong consistency?

Yes, strong consistency can lead to higher latency and reduced availability, as it requires coordination between nodes to ensure all see the same data.