maxretries

MAXRETRIES is a configuration parameter or constant used in software systems to limit the number of retry attempts after a failed operation. It is commonly employed in network clients, API libraries, messaging systems, and database drivers where transient failures can occur. The goal is to balance resilience with resource use by avoiding infinite retry loops.

When an operation fails due to a recoverable error, the client typically retries the request up to MAXRETRIES times. Each retry may follow a backoff strategy, such as increasing delays or adding jitter, to reduce contention and avoid thundering herd effects. The total number of attempts usually includes the initial attempt and the subsequent retries, though implementations vary. If all attempts fail, the operation is considered unsuccessful and an error or exception is raised to the caller.

Values for MAXRETRIES are often small, commonly 3 to 5, and may be configured via code constants, environment variables, or configuration files. Systems may also provide per-operation or per-context overrides. Important design considerations include ensuring operations are idempotent, choosing appropriate backoff and jitter, distinguishing retryable from non-retryable errors, and coordinating with overall timeouts or circuit-breaker patterns to prevent resource exhaustion.

Common contexts for MAXRETRIES include HTTP or RPC clients, cloud service SDKs, message queue producers and consumers, and database connectors. Properly applied, it enhances reliability while avoiding unintended side effects from repeated operations.