What are the trade-offs of eventual consistency in distributed systems?

What are the trade-offs of eventual consistency in distributed systems?

Eventual consistency allows for higher availability and partition tolerance, but it can lead to temporary inconsistencies.

Can you explain how it affects user experience?

Sure! Users might see outdated data temporarily, which can be confusing, but the system will eventually converge to the latest state.

What are some scenarios where eventual consistency is preferred?

It's often preferred in systems like social media feeds or shopping carts, where availability is more critical than immediate accuracy.

Are there any downsides to using eventual consistency?

Yes, the main downside is the potential for stale data, which can lead to user frustration or incorrect decisions.

How does it compare to strong consistency?

Strong consistency ensures immediate data accuracy but can reduce availability and increase latency, especially in distributed systems.