Definition ∞ A best-effort broadcast refers to a communication method where a message is sent to all reachable network participants without guarantees of delivery or reception. The sender transmits data with the expectation that it will reach as many nodes as possible. This approach prioritizes speed and efficiency over absolute reliability in data propagation. It assumes network resilience will generally ensure sufficient dissemination.
Context ∞ In blockchain systems, best-effort broadcast is common for initial transaction propagation across peer-to-peer networks. While it lacks delivery assurances, its efficiency is vital for rapid transaction distribution before inclusion in a block. Debates sometimes surface regarding its effectiveness during network partitions or denial-of-service attacks.