This project is a simple and reliable implementation of a Write-Ahead Log (WAL) in Go. A WAL helps systems like databases or distributed applications keep their data safe, even after a crash. It works by saving changes to a log file before applying them, so the system can recover to its last good state if something goes wrong.
Write-ahead logs provide several key benefits:
- Durability: All state changes are recorded on disk before being applied, ensuring persistence across crashes.
- High Write-Throughput: Sequential writes optimize disk I/O for better performance.
- Data Integrity: Append-only logging minimizes the risk of corrupting existing entries during crashes.
-
Segmentation: Logs are divided into manageable segments to improve scalability and simplify log compaction. Older segments can be archived or cleaned up without affecting the active log.
-
Auto Recovery: After a crash, the WAL automatically replays uncommitted log entries to restore the system to a consistent state, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss.
-
Checksums: Each log entry includes a checksum to ensure integrity. Corrupted entries are detected and handled gracefully during recovery.