Exponential Backoff

Exponential backoff is a network algorithm used to handle retries for failed operations, particularly in distributed systems and API calls. It involves increasing the wait time between retry attempts exponentially (e.g., doubling each time) to reduce server load and avoid overwhelming systems during outages or congestion. This technique helps improve reliability and fault tolerance by allowing temporary issues to resolve while preventing retry storms.

Also known as: Exponential Retry, Backoff Algorithm, Retry with Backoff, Exp Backoff, EB

Why learn Exponential Backoff?

Developers should use exponential backoff when implementing retry logic for network requests, database operations, or API calls in scenarios where failures might be transient, such as network timeouts, rate limiting, or server overloads. It is essential in microservices architectures, cloud applications, and IoT systems to ensure resilience and graceful degradation, as it prevents clients from exacerbating problems by bombarding servers with immediate retries.

Learning Resources

• docs: AWS Exponential Backoff and Jitter
• docs: Exponential Backoff - Microsoft Docs
• video: Exponential Backoff Explained - YouTube
• docs: Retry Pattern - Martin Fowler
• tutorial: Exponential Backoff in Practice - Cloudflare Blog