Stonebraker on CAP Theorem and Databases
Summary
Mike Stonebraker challenges the application of the CAP theorem to NoSQL databases, arguing that eventual consistency does not shield against data loss from application or implementation errors. The post discusses the limits of CAP, the rarity of network partitions, and the value of approaches like deferred delete, while advocating that many applications still benefit from or can implement full consistency. It also references the broader debate about default consistency models and practical implications for large-scale data systems.