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Playbook · Design and build · 6 steps
Choosing a data store
One of the most consequential, least reversible choices you will make.
“It is basically always the case that the long-term costs of keeping a system working reliably vastly exceed any inconveniences you encounter while building it.”
- 1One-Way vs Two-Way DoorsConfirm this is a one-way door and slow down accordingly.Match decision rigour to reversibility: decide reversible choices fast and irreversible ones carefully.Open
- 2CAP and PACELCWhich operations need strong consistency, and what latency will that cost?During a partition you choose consistency or availability; otherwise you trade latency against consistency.Open
- 3Data GravityWhere will this data grow, and what will pull toward it?Data attracts applications, services, and more data — and the bigger it gets, the harder it is to move.Open
- 4Innovation TokensIs a novel database worth one of our few innovation tokens?Every organisation can afford only a few novel technologies. Spend them where they create real advantage.Open
- 5Lindy EffectWill this technology outlive the system it supports?For technologies and ideas, every year they survive increases their expected remaining life.Open
- 6Total Cost of OwnershipWhat does it cost to operate for five years, and to leave?The purchase price is the smallest part of what a technology costs over its lifetime.Open