Database Polling vs Change Data Capture

Developers should use database polling in scenarios where systems lack built-in change data capture (CDC) mechanisms or when integrating with legacy databases that do not support triggers or event listeners meets developers should learn and use cdc when building systems that require low-latency data propagation, such as real-time analytics, data lakes, or event-driven applications, as it minimizes performance overhead compared to batch processing. Here's our take.

Database Polling

Nice Pick

Developers should use database polling in scenarios where systems lack built-in change data capture (CDC) mechanisms or when integrating with legacy databases that do not support triggers or event listeners

Pros

• It is suitable for batch processing, data synchronization between systems, or implementing simple notification systems where low latency is acceptable, such as in cron jobs or background tasks that update dashboards or caches
• Related to: change-data-capture, database-triggers

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Change Data Capture

Developers should learn and use CDC when building systems that require low-latency data propagation, such as real-time analytics, data lakes, or event-driven applications, as it minimizes performance overhead compared to batch processing

Pros

• It is essential for scenarios like database migration, maintaining data consistency across distributed systems, and enabling reactive architectures where changes trigger downstream actions
• Related to: database-replication, event-sourcing

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Database Polling if: You want it is suitable for batch processing, data synchronization between systems, or implementing simple notification systems where low latency is acceptable, such as in cron jobs or background tasks that update dashboards or caches and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Change Data Capture if: You prioritize it is essential for scenarios like database migration, maintaining data consistency across distributed systems, and enabling reactive architectures where changes trigger downstream actions over what Database Polling offers.

The Bottom Line

Database Polling wins

Developers should use database polling in scenarios where systems lack built-in change data capture (CDC) mechanisms or when integrating with legacy databases that do not support triggers or event listeners