What is the simplest analogue of a global variable in a distributed computing system? Since the system only exists as a set of sub-global contexts, it should be non-trivial.
Blockchains and root dns servers seem too complex
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it would be a component that all components talk to - the clock upon which all other clocks are synchronized to
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Simplest to implement in terms of dev complexity often ends up being a central server maintaining the 'global variable'. Zookeeper clusters, googles 'chubby' lock system, NTP servers, etc.
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I'd say a database serves this function as an abstract component (even though it might be itself distributed, there will likely still be a single "point of entry").
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That's an unstoppable force/immovable object contradiction. "Global variable" implies a non-distributed system for the same reason "absolute velocity" implies non-relativistic physics.
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