The token bucket algorithm effectively manages retry storms in distributed systems, but careful implementation is crucial to avoid deadlocks and ensure system resilience.
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On distributed systems broadly defined and other curiosities. The opinions on this site are my own.
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The Serial Safety Net (SSN) offers a novel approach to achieving serializability in database transactions without compromising system performance by tracking dependency cycles.
TLA+ serves as a design accelerator for complex distributed systems, enabling clearer reasoning and early error detection through effective modeling.
The paper presents a pioneering approach to building a serverless database on Amazon S3, addressing latency and consistency challenges through innovative design principles.
7.3OSTEP Chapter 8
2026-02-11 • scheduling design task management operating systems mlfq
The chapter outlines the Multi-Level Feedback Queue (MLFQ) algorithm, which optimizes CPU scheduling by balancing turnaround and response times through dynamic job prioritization.
MQuery establishes a formal mathematical foundation for MongoDB's aggregation framework, addressing its procedural nature and enabling query optimization through algebraic principles.
CockroachDB Serverless innovatively separates SQL and KV processes to enhance multi-tenancy and performance while addressing cold start and resource management challenges.
Cloud hardware trends from 2015 to 2025 reveal stagnation in CPU and DRAM performance, while network bandwidth has significantly improved, indicating a shift towards specialized hardware integration.
Al-Gasr illustrates a chaotic bureaucratic system where absurd governance and manipulation of truth create a surreal environment of continuous affirmation and shifting authority.
Chapters 4 and 5 of 'Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces' explore process abstraction and the UNIX process API, emphasizing the educational approach and design philosophy of UNIX.
The paper argues that AI agents cannot bypass Brooks' Law in software engineering, failing to deliver new insights and struggling with integration complexities.
Universities must evolve their educational approaches to prioritize system design and student agency in the age of AI, moving beyond traditional grading systems.
The post highlights how human habits like writing, self-talk, and role-playing enhance AI agents' cognitive abilities, drawing parallels between AI development and self-improvement techniques.
Proportional-share schedulers like Lottery Scheduling ensure fair CPU time distribution through a ticket system, addressing challenges in modern computing environments.
The post critiques deterministic database research assumptions, revealing the rarity of interactive transactions and questioning the optimism around transaction convertibility in real-world applications.
CPU virtualization and scheduling are crucial for efficient process management, balancing performance and control through various algorithms and execution modes.
The post explores how LLMs may transform academic writing by emphasizing the need for distinctive voices and original thought in a landscape increasingly dominated by automated content generation.
Research shows LLMs can experience anxiety and cognitive decline, suggesting a future need for AI psychologists to maintain their mental health.
The post explores whether humans are becoming mere facilitators for AI or if they will retain their role as architects of meaningful work in an AI-driven future.
The post uses a sauna metaphor to explain how to synchronize actions in distributed systems without relying on clocks, highlighting the importance of causal relationships.
The author shares insights from their 15-year blogging journey, highlighting the personal and professional growth achieved through writing and the importance of intrinsic motivation.
4.7Writing Away From the Screen
2026-02-25 • writing technology review comparison
The author shares their experience using the reMarkable Paper Pro for paper reviews, highlighting its focus benefits and writing feel while noting its limitations compared to traditional methods and iPads.
The post critiques the shift in productivity culture from micro-optimizations to focusing on meaningful tasks and emphasizes the importance of deep thinking away from screens in the age of AI.
Misaligned intentions can create friction in processes and personal growth, highlighting the need for a growth mindset to foster progress.