What is sequential consistency in distributed systems?

What is sequential consistency in distributed systems?

Sequential consistency is a memory model that ensures operations appear to be executed in a sequential order, preserving the order of operations as seen by all processes.

How does it differ from eventual consistency?

Eventual consistency allows for temporary discrepancies between replicas, while sequential consistency guarantees a strict order of operations across all processes.

Can you give an example of sequential consistency?

Sure! Imagine two processes, A and B. If A writes a value and then B reads it, B will see the value written by A if the system is sequentially consistent.

What are the advantages of using sequential consistency?

The main advantage is that it simplifies reasoning about the system's behavior, making it easier to understand and debug.

Are there any downsides to sequential consistency?

Yes, it can lead to performance bottlenecks since it may require more synchronization between processes compared to more relaxed consistency models.