⚙️ Enough With All The Raft
A sharp and thought-provoking critique that pushes engineers to assess replication algorithms empirically rather than following trends.
This talk challenges the dominance of the Raft consensus algorithm in distributed systems, arguing it provides no clear advantages over quorum- or reconfiguration-based replication methods. It reexamines replication strategies through the lens of failure handling and claims Raft’s perceived simplicity and superiority are overstated. The author urges practitioners to choose replication methods suited to real-world demands, noting that alternatives like Reconfiguration or Quorum systems may offer better trade-offs in efficiency, performance, and availability.
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🦀 qsp: A simple S-Expression parser for Rust TokenStreams
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💾 Unusual Circuits in the Intel 386’s Standard Cell Logic
A captivating dive into chip archaeology—Shirriff’s reverse-engineering reveals early examples of computer-aided design that foreshadowed modern semiconductor practices.
Ken Shirriff examines the Intel 386 processor’s standard cell logic, showing how automated layout techniques replaced manual transistor design to manage growing complexity. He uncovers intriguing details such as massive multiplexers, a last-minute transistor fix, and ‘fake’ inverters repurposed as dual transistors. The article offers a microscopic and historical look at how these innovations enabled Intel to finish the 386 ahead of schedule.
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