Eventual Consistency Formalized

Edel Sherratt, Andreas Prinz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Proceeding (Non-Journal item)

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Distribution of computation is well-known, and there are several frameworks, including some formal frameworks, that capture distributed computation. As yet, however, models of distributed computation are based on the idea that data is conceptually centralized. That is, they assume that data, even if it is distributed, is consistent. This assumption is not valid for many of the database systems in use today, where consistency is compromised to ensure availability and partition tolerance. Starting with an informal definition of eventual consistency, this paper explores several measures of inconsistency that quantify how far from consistency a system is. These measures capture key aspects of eventual consistency in terms of distributed abstract state machines. The definitions move from the traditional binary definition of consistency to more quantitative definitions, where the classical consistency is given by the highest possible level of consistency. Expressing eventual consistency in terms of abstract state machines allows models to be developed that capture distributed computation and highly available distributed data within a single framework
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSystem Analysis and Modeling. Languages, Methods, and Tools for Industry 4.0 - 11th International Conference, SAM 2019, Proceedings
Subtitle of host publicationSystem Analysis and Modeling. Languages, Methods, and Tools for Industry
EditorsPau Fonseca i Casas, Maria-Ribera Sancho, Edel Sherratt
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages249-265
Number of pages17
Volume11753
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-30690-8
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-30689-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume11753 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Keywords

  • Abstract state machine
  • Distributed state
  • Eventual consistency
  • Formality

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