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Partially Synchronous

Definition

Partially synchronous describes a distributed system model where there are known upper bounds on message transmission delays and processing times, but these bounds are not always met. This model allows for periods of asynchrony where messages may take longer to arrive, interspersed with periods of synchrony. It offers a more realistic representation of real-world network conditions compared to strictly synchronous or asynchronous models. Many practical blockchain systems operate under this assumption to achieve consensus.