1. A system for specifying consistency for an application, comprising: an application comprising a transaction, wherein the transaction comprises at least one of a plurality of states, at least one of a plurality of transitions, and at least one artifact; and a database operatively connected to the application; wherein the application accesses data from the database associated with the at least one artifact using a consistency specification when the application enters the at least one of the plurality of the states; and wherein the consistency specification specifies at least one of a read consistency and a write consistency to apply to the at least one artifact.