Almost-Sure Termination

Definition ∞ Almost-sure termination signifies that a probabilistic algorithm or process will complete its execution with a probability of one. While theoretically a non-zero chance of infinite execution exists, this probability is infinitesimally small. This concept is crucial in the analysis of randomized algorithms used in distributed systems and cryptographic protocols. It provides a strong guarantee of completion for practical purposes.
Context ∞ In the context of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, almost-sure termination is a theoretical property often considered for consensus algorithms. It assures that network processes, such as transaction finalization or block generation, will eventually conclude. This property contributes to the reliability and predictability of decentralized networks, even in the presence of random events or malicious actions.