FoundationDB vs Scylla: What are the differences?

Key Differences between FoundationDB and Scylla

FoundationDB and Scylla are both powerful database solutions, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Data Model: FoundationDB is a distributed multi-model database that provides different kinds of data models, such as key-value, document, and graph. On the other hand, Scylla is a distributed NoSQL database specifically designed for high-performance, low-latency applications, focusing on a wide column store data model.

2. Architecture: FoundationDB follows a shared-nothing architecture, where the data is distributed across multiple nodes without sharing resources. In contrast, Scylla follows a masterless architecture, where multiple nodes act as equals and each node can read and write data independently.

3. Consistency Model: FoundationDB provides strong ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) guarantees, making it suitable for applications that require high data consistency. Scylla, on the other hand, follows the eventual consistency model, which ensures high availability and low latency at the expense of less strict consistency guarantees.

4. Scaling: FoundationDB supports horizontal scaling by adding more nodes to the cluster, allowing it to handle increasing workloads. Scylla also supports horizontal scaling, but it leverages a shared-nothing architecture along with a consistent hashing algorithm to provide linear scalability with minimal overhead.

5. Performance: FoundationDB is known for its ability to handle high-performance OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) workloads efficiently. Scylla, on the other hand, is designed for high-speed, low-latency applications, making it particularly suitable for use cases that require high throughput and real-time data processing.

6. Concurrency Control: FoundationDB utilizes a multi-version concurrency control (MVCC) mechanism to manage concurrent reads and writes, ensuring isolation and consistency. Scylla uses a lock-free read and write path, allowing for high levels of concurrency and minimizing contention among multiple clients.

In Summary, FoundationDB provides a multi-model database with strong consistency guarantees, while Scylla focuses on high performance, low latency, and scalability with a wide column store data model and eventual consistency.