What is the difference between Paxos and Raft?

Can you explain the difference between Paxos and Raft?

Sure! Both Paxos and Raft are consensus algorithms used in distributed systems, but they have different approaches. Paxos is more complex and focuses on achieving consensus through a series of proposals and votes, while Raft is designed to be more understandable and uses a leader-follower model to manage log replication.

Which one is easier to implement?

Raft is generally considered easier to implement due to its more straightforward design and clear leader election process. This makes it more accessible for developers who are new to distributed systems.

Are there any scenarios where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, Raft is often preferred in scenarios where ease of understanding and implementation is crucial, while Paxos might be chosen for its robustness in highly dynamic environments.

Can you give me an example of a system that uses Raft?

Certainly! One well-known example of a system that uses Raft is etcd, which is a distributed key-value store used for configuration management and service discovery.