Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration

Distributed transaction

Also known as: global transaction, two-phase commit transaction

German: Verteilte Transaktion

In distributed systems, a distributed transaction is a transaction that updates data in two or more independent systems or databases so that either all updates take effect or none do, typically coordinated by a protocol such as two-phase commit.

  • System integration

In one sentence

A distributed transaction updates data in several systems so that either all changes take effect or none do, usually via two-phase commit.

Example

Booking a finished pallet decrements stock in the warehouse database and creates a shipment record in the logistics database in one distributed transaction.

How it applies

  • Architecture: Distributed transactions give strong guarantees but couple systems tightly: all participants must be available and support the protocol, and a failed coordinator can leave participants waiting.
  • Integration practice: Across heterogeneous systems such as ERP, MES and cloud services, true distributed transactions are rarely available. Designs then use local transactions plus compensation (Compensating transaction) or reliable messaging, and accept temporary inconsistency.
  • Documentation: Document which business operations are atomic across systems and which are not. Support teams need to know what intermediate states can occur after a Partial failure and how to repair them.

Distributed transaction vs. compensating transaction

A distributed transaction prevents inconsistent intermediate states from becoming visible. A compensating transaction allows them and repairs them afterwards.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Knowledge editorial definition, based on distributed systems and database practice

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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