Multi-Leader Replication
Multi-leader replication is a database replication strategy where multiple nodes (leaders) can accept write operations independently, and changes are asynchronously propagated between them. This approach contrasts with single-leader replication, where only one node handles writes, and is commonly used in distributed systems to improve availability, reduce latency, and support geographically dispersed applications. It enables scenarios like collaborative editing or multi-region deployments by allowing concurrent writes across different locations.
Developers should learn multi-leader replication when building systems that require high availability, low write latency in multiple regions, or offline capabilities, such as in mobile apps, collaborative tools, or global-scale web services. It is particularly useful in scenarios where network partitions or leader failures must not disrupt write operations, though it introduces complexities like conflict resolution and eventual consistency that need careful handling.