What is the difference between serializability and consistency?

Can you explain the difference between serializability and consistency in databases?

Sure! Serializability is a property of a transaction schedule that ensures that the outcome is the same as if the transactions were executed in some serial order. Consistency, on the other hand, ensures that a transaction brings the database from one valid state to another, maintaining all predefined rules.

Why is serializability important in database transactions?

Serializability is crucial because it prevents anomalies that can occur when transactions are executed concurrently. It ensures that the final state of the database is consistent and reflects a valid sequence of operations.

Can you give an example of a situation where consistency might be violated?

Certainly! An example of violated consistency is when two transactions read and write to the same data item without proper isolation, leading to one transaction seeing an intermediate state of the data.

How do databases ensure serializability?

Databases ensure serializability through various concurrency control mechanisms, such as locking protocols and timestamp ordering, which manage how transactions access shared resources.