Another replication versus synchronization posting
Tags :Conferences
This has gotten to be a hot topic in the comments
and the hits from the posting last week found
here. I even saw it pop
up in the internal Business Partner forum (thanks Sean) looking for feedback.
So let me explain, quote and move along a bit further.
This is not a semantics talk anymore about which word a person uses. The
meaning has been built in for years. There are major differences
to me and others on the proper definition of replication. Dictionary.com
tosses out a few meanings:
1. A fold or a folding back.
2. A reply to an answer; a rejoinder.
3. Law. The plaintiff's response to the defendant's answer
or plea.
4. An echo or reverberation.
5. A copy or reproduction.
6. The act or process of duplicating or reproducing something.
7. Biology. The process by which genetic material, a single-celled
organism, or a virus reproduces or makes a copy of itself: replication
of DNA.
8. In scientific research, the repetition of an experiment to confirm
findings or to ensure accuracy.
Amazingly I like number 8 here. Using the words repetition of an
event or experiment (called scheduled replication in our world) to ensure
accuracy across replicas.
Back to Dictionary.com we have the formal definitions of synchronization:
v. intr.
1. To occur at the same time; be simultaneous.
2. To operate in unison.
1. To cause to occur or operate with exact
coincidence in time or rate: We synchronized our watches.
2. To cause to occur or operate at the same
time as something else: They synchronized their trip with the annual tulip
festival.
2. To arrange (historical events) in a synchronism so as to indicate
parallel occurrence.
3. To cause (soundtrack and action) to match exactly in
a film.
So Synchronization would be more like clustering according to the first
line. So I could see this word used in place of clustering, not replication.
Definition 4 describes replication best to me, an echo or reverberation.
They do not have to be totally in sync (hmmm, interesting placement
of the word) at all times. Replicas can be hours or days different.
They then echo, rejoin or reproduce (or delete) as necessary on schedule
or on demand.
So some good quotes for you. From Gabriella Davis:I
also think synchronization sounds much less feature rich than replication
From Jerry Glover taking the other spin:I think "synchronize"
is far more well-known by the general populace
Of course Sean had a blunt point:It seems to me to
be quite a lot of time and money to change something that does not necessarily
need to change.
My two cents have been written, spilled and could go on for pages. More
words from the faithful and new readers?
blog comments powered by Disqus
On Tuesday, January 31st, 2006 by Chris Miller
