Partition tolerance is defined as a system property that ensures what?

Partition tolerance is defined as a system property that ensures what?

• A. System halts when network failure occurs.
• B. System continues operating despite network partitions.
• C. System ensures strict ordering across nodes.
• D. System uses fixed hash slots.

Answer: (B)

Partition tolerance means a distributed system keeps operating even when the network splits into partitions and some nodes can’t communicate with others. In such a split-brain scenario, the system adapts and continues to function rather than shutting down, though it may have to tolerate delays or make trade-offs between consistency and availability. That’s why the statement about continuing to operate despite network partitions is the best description of partition tolerance. The other ideas describe stopping the system, enforcing strict global ordering, or related but unrelated data-placement concepts, which don’t capture the ability to survive network partitions.

Partition tolerance means a distributed system keeps operating even when the network splits into partitions and some nodes can’t communicate with others. In such a split-brain scenario, the system adapts and continues to function rather than shutting down, though it may have to tolerate delays or make trade-offs between consistency and availability. That’s why the statement about continuing to operate despite network partitions is the best description of partition tolerance. The other ideas describe stopping the system, enforcing strict global ordering, or related but unrelated data-placement concepts, which don’t capture the ability to survive network partitions.