The Hows and Whys of a Distributed SQL Database

Explore the evolution and design principles of distributed SQL databases in this 42-minute conference talk from Strange Loop. Delve into the history of database technologies, from primitive systems to modern distributed SQL engines. Discover how these new systems combine the transactional consistency of traditional relational databases with the scalability and availability of NoSQL solutions. Examine the key design choices behind CockroachDB, an open-source distributed SQL database, including dynamic sharding, consensus protocols, and lock-free transactions. Learn about data distribution techniques, replication strategies, and the intricacies of distributed consensus using Raft. Gain insights into transaction management, conflict resolution, and the challenges of maintaining consistency in a distributed environment. Understand the motivations behind the development of distributed SQL databases and their potential impact on future database design and implementation.