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Weak Consistency

Definition

Weak consistency is a data model where an update might not be immediately visible across all copies of the data in a distributed system. This consistency model permits temporary discrepancies among replicated data copies, meaning reads may not always return the most recent write immediately. While updates eventually propagate throughout the system, a period exists where different nodes may hold varying versions of the data. This approach prioritizes availability and partition tolerance over immediate data synchronization, a trade-off often seen in highly distributed environments.