Database Consistency Models

TL;DR

This paper discusses the concept of consistency models in data stores, explaining how they define the possible anomalies and behaviors observed by applications due to non-sequential processes.

Contribution

It provides a formal overview of consistency models, clarifying how they characterize application-visible anomalies in data stores.

Findings

Defines the set of possible anomalies in data stores

Explains the relationship between consistency models and observed behaviors

Highlights the importance of consistency models in system design

Abstract

A data store allows application processes to put and get data from a shared memory. In general, a data store cannot be modelled as a strictly sequential process. Applications observe non-sequential behaviours, called anomalies. The set of pos- sible behaviours, and conversely of possible anomalies, constitutes the consistency model of the data store.