Databases · Senior · Question 61 of 75
Why is it risky to rely on database-generated timestamps from different servers to order events?
- 1Timestamps can't be compared in SQL
- 2Databases round timestamps to the hour
- ✓Correct answer: Server clocks drift and jump, so timestamps from different machines can be out of order; use sequences, logical clocks or a single source of ordering
Explanation
Even NTP-synced clocks differ by milliseconds. Last-write-wins by timestamp can silently drop updates.