First-Come First-Served

Definition ∞ First-come, first-served describes a processing method where requests are handled in the strict chronological order of their arrival. This principle ensures that the earliest submitted requests are prioritized and completed before later ones, promoting fairness and predictability in resource allocation. In digital systems, particularly blockchain networks, it applies to transaction processing queues, where the order of receipt can determine inclusion in a block. Adherence to this ordering can be critical for preventing manipulation and ensuring equitable access to network resources.
Context ∞ The concept of first-come, first-served is a fundamental consideration in designing and evaluating decentralized protocols, especially concerning transaction finality and censorship resistance. Discussions frequently involve the challenges of achieving pure FCFS in environments with varying network latencies and economic incentives for block producers. Future innovations aim to develop more robust mechanisms that minimize deviations from this principle, thereby enhancing overall system integrity.