Partially Synchronous Systems

Definition ∞ Partially Synchronous Systems are distributed computing environments where there are known upper bounds on message transmission delays and process speeds, but these bounds are not always strictly met. This model lies between purely synchronous systems, where all delays are fixed, and asynchronous systems, where no bounds are assumed. It provides a more realistic framework for designing and analyzing distributed protocols, especially in the presence of transient network issues. Such systems offer a balance between performance and resilience.
Context ∞ Many blockchain protocols operate under a partially synchronous system model, allowing for a degree of network delay while still ensuring eventual consensus. Crypto news often references the underlying assumptions about network conditions when discussing the security and liveness properties of various decentralized ledgers. Understanding this model is essential for evaluating the robustness and performance guarantees of different blockchain architectures.