juniorCAP Theorem
Explain Partition Tolerance in the context of CAP.
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
The system continues to operate despite an arbitrary number of messages being dropped or delayed by the network between nodes.
Deep explanation
The CAP Theorem is a fundamental principle in distributed systems design. The system continues to operate despite an arbitrary number of messages being dropped or delayed by the network between nodes. It forces architects to acknowledge that trade-offs are unavoidable in wide-area networks.
Real-world example
A single-node relational database behaves as CA until it scales horizontally.
Common mistakes
- Thinking CAP applies to systems that aren't distributed (like a single-instance DB).
Follow-up questions
- Is CAP relevant for single-core apps?