Classification of Update Methods for Replicated Databases

摘要

In the paper, the authors present a classification of the methods for updatingreplicated databases. The main contribution of the paper is to present the various methods in the context of a structured taxonomy, which accommodates very heterogenous methods. Classes of update methods are presented through their general properties, such as the invariants that hold for them. Methods are reviewed both in their normal and abnormal behavior (e.g., after a network partition). The authors show that several methods presented in the literature, sometimes in independent papers with no cross-reference, are related, for instance because they share the same basic technique. They also show in what sense they diverge from the basic technique. This classification can serve as a basis for choosing the method that is most suitable to a specific application. It can also be used as a guideline to researchers who aim at developing new mechanisms.