Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types
Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) are data structures designed for distributed systems that allow multiple replicas to be updated independently and concurrently without requiring coordination or consensus, while ensuring eventual consistency. They guarantee that all replicas will converge to the same state when updates stop, even in the presence of network partitions or delays. CRDTs are mathematically proven to avoid conflicts by using operations that are commutative, associative, and idempotent.
Developers should learn CRDTs when building collaborative applications (like real-time editors, multiplayer games, or distributed databases) that require low-latency updates and high availability in decentralized or peer-to-peer environments. They are essential for systems where network partitions are common, as they allow continuous operation without sacrificing data consistency, making them ideal for offline-first apps or globally distributed services.