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idempotency

/ˌaɪ.dɛmˈpɒn.si/
IELTSAcademic
noun

The quality of a process or action that gives the same result when repeated. In computing, an operation is idempotent if doing it again does not change the outcome.

  • The API design uses idempotency for safe retries.
  • Deleting the record showed idempotency.

Adinary Nuance

Idempotency is close to repetition, consistency, and stability, but it is more precise. Repetition means doing something again; idempotency means doing it again does not change the result. Writers use this word mostly in technical and academic contexts, especially in computing and mathematics.

In other languages

Vietnamese
tính bất biến
Spanish
idempotencia
Chinese
幂等性
Japanese
冪等性
Korean
멱등성

Etymology

Idempotency comes from the mathematical term idempotent, used in the 19th century. It was built from Latin roots meaning 'same' and 'power' or 'effect'.

Common phrases

idempotency keyidempotent operationidempotency in APIs

Synonyms

repeatability (opens in new tab)consistency (opens in new tab)stability (opens in new tab)

Related words

idempotent (opens in new tab)retry (opens in new tab)duplicate (opens in new tab)transaction (opens in new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Is idempotency a common everyday word
No. It is mainly used in technical, mathematical, and academic writing.
What is the difference between idempotency and repetition
Repetition means doing something again. Idempotency means repeating it does not change the result.
Is idempotency used in computer science
Yes. It is very common in APIs, systems design, and database work.