Beating the CAP theorem checklist (2013)

The text critiques various misconceptions about the CAP theorem, which states that in a distributed data store, one can only achieve two out of three guarantees: consistency, availability, and partition tolerance. It outlines common flawed assumptions made by individuals proposing solutions that claim to "beat" the CAP theorem. These include underestimating the likelihood of software, network, and hardware failures, as well as failing to recognize the complexities of distributed systems, such as latency, network topology changes, and the potential for multiple partitions. The critique emphasizes that many proposed solutions either replicate existing systems or misclassify their architecture as either AP (Availability and Partition tolerance) or CP (Consistency and Partition tolerance) systems. It also highlights technical objections, such as reliance on a central authority, issues with quorum sizes, and the impracticality of infinite timeouts. The author encourages a deeper understanding of distributed systems and the CAP theorem, suggesting that many proponents lack fundamental knowledge in these areas. The overall message is a call for more rigorous thinking and research in the design of distributed systems, as well as an acknowledgment of the inherent challenges involved in their implementation.