seniorPHP
Explain distributed transactions and the Saga pattern in PHP microservices.
Updated May 24, 2026
Short answer
The Saga pattern manages distributed transactions across multiple services using compensating actions.
Deep explanation
Traditional ACID transactions do not scale well across distributed microservices because services maintain independent databases.
The Saga pattern coordinates multi-service workflows through sequences of local transactions.
Two primary Saga approaches:
- Choreography
- Services emit and react to events independently
- Orchestration
- Central orchestrator controls workflow execution
Example order workflow:
- Order Service creates order
- Payment Service charges customer
- Inventory Service reserves stock
- Shipping Service schedules shipment…
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