What are the different types of consistency models in distributed systems?

What are the different types of consistency models in distributed systems?

In distributed systems, consistency models define how data is synchronized across nodes. The main types include strong consistency, eventual consistency, causal consistency, and weak consistency.

Can you explain strong consistency?

Strong consistency ensures that any read operation returns the most recent write. This means all nodes see the same data at the same time.

What about eventual consistency?

Eventual consistency allows for temporary discrepancies between nodes, but guarantees that all updates will propagate eventually, leading to a consistent state.

Are there any trade-offs with these models?

Yes, stronger consistency models often come with higher latency and reduced availability, while weaker models can improve performance but may lead to stale data.