How to find his way in the jungle of consistency criteria for distributed shared memories (or how to escape from Minos' labyrinth)

Abstract

Surveys consistency criteria that have been proposed, and sometimes implemented, for distributed shared objects and memories. Linearizability, sequential consistency, hybrid consistency and causal consistency are particularly emphasized. These criteria are precisely analyzed and protocols that implement them are described. It is suggested that the hybrid consistency, introduced by Attiya and Friedman (1992), constitutes Ariadne's clue to understanding this jungle of consistency criteria.<>