← Glossary
What does "eventual consistency" mean in programming?
eventual consistency is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
A consistency model where a distributed system guarantees that, given no new updates, all nodes will eventually converge to the same value. Used in systems that prioritize availability over immediate consistency, such as many NoSQL databases and DNS.
Example
"In an eventually consistent system, reading your own write may return stale data for a few seconds after the write."
Related terms
Ready to practice your English at work?
Lingua-e has interactive exercises built around real developer conversations: standups, code reviews, retrospectives, and more. Practice until it comes naturally.
Try Lingua-e for free