Definition ∞ Optimal message bounds refer to the theoretical minimum and maximum sizes or quantities of messages required for a distributed system to achieve a specific goal, such as consensus, efficiently and securely. These bounds define the most efficient communication overhead necessary for a protocol to operate correctly under given network conditions and adversary models. Achieving optimal bounds is a key objective in designing scalable and robust blockchain protocols. It directly impacts network throughput and latency.
Context ∞ In blockchain research and development, particularly concerning consensus algorithms and cross-shard communication, discussions frequently reference optimal message bounds. News articles on new protocol designs may highlight how they approach these theoretical limits to improve scalability without compromising security. The pursuit of optimal message bounds is a continuous effort to enhance the performance and efficiency of decentralized networks.