Exponential backoff algorithm

Questions & Answers

What is cenkalti/backoff?

cenkalti/backoff is a Go library that implements the exponential backoff algorithm. It's a direct port of the algorithm found in Google's HTTP Client Library for Java, designed to manage retry attempts efficiently.

Who would use the cenkalti/backoff library?

This library is primarily for Go developers building applications that interact with external services or systems prone to transient failures. It helps ensure robustness by implementing a standard retry mechanism.

When should I use an exponential backoff algorithm in my Go application?

You should use an exponential backoff algorithm, such as provided by cenkalti/backoff, when making requests to potentially overloaded or temporarily unavailable services. It prevents continuous retries from exacerbating system load and allows services time to recover.

What is the philosophy behind the design of the cenkalti/backoff library?

The library is designed to be minimal and focused. It provides a `Retry` function for common use cases, and encourages users with specific needs to copy and modify this function rather than adding complex features to the core library.

What is the import path for cenkalti/backoff in a Go project?

The import path for the cenkalti/backoff library is `github.com/cenkalti/backoff/v5`. It's important to include the version part at the end for correct module resolution.