Stream vs. Batch: It's Actually About Push vs. Pull
2025-05-18
The common "Stream vs. Batch" debate is misleading. Many streaming systems internally use batching for performance, but the real distinction lies in data processing semantics: 'push' systems deliver data in real-time, providing a complete, up-to-the-second view; 'pull' systems periodically query data, potentially missing updates and deletes. While 'push' is more complex, its real-time advantage is compelling. Once you experience the magic of second-level data freshness, you won't want to go back. In practice, both approaches complement each other, with batch processing often used for backfilling in otherwise streaming systems.
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batch processing