Retry
Definition
A retry repeats a failed operation under defined conditions.
The repeated execution of a failed operation under defined conditions.
Simply explained
After a temporary disruption, a suitable operation is attempted again.
Why it matters in practice
The term contributes to secure, maintainable, and high-performance web applications as well as resilient technical decisions.
Example from business
A client retries an idempotent read operation after a transient timeout.
Limits and pitfalls
- Blindly retrying non-idempotent actions, retrying indefinitely, or operating without backoff.
Origin & history
Retries are a fundamental pattern of reliable networked and distributed systems.
Use in mid-sized companies
- Possible example: A client retries an idempotent read operation after a transient timeout.
Frequently asked questions
What does retry mean?
The re-execution of a failed operation under defined conditions.
Which mistakes should be avoided?
Blindly retrying actions that have additional effects on each execution, retrying indefinitely, or not planning increasing wait times.
Sources
Source checked on 10.10.2026. Editorial application examples are hypothetical; no evidence of real customer results.
Editorially reviewed on: