Synchronous Protocol

Definition ∞ A synchronous protocol is a set of rules governing interactions in a distributed system where all participants operate under the assumption that messages will be delivered and processed within a predictable, bounded timeframe. This characteristic allows for deterministic execution and simpler reasoning about system state transitions. In blockchain, such protocols aim for rapid agreement among nodes, often trading some degree of fault tolerance for increased speed. They offer strong guarantees of progress.
Context ∞ Synchronous protocols are frequently analyzed in academic papers and news discussions concerning high-performance blockchain architectures and specialized distributed ledgers. Reports might highlight their use in certain enterprise blockchain solutions or specific layer-2 scaling mechanisms where network latency is minimal. The challenges of maintaining synchronicity across a globally distributed, permissionless network are a key area of consideration.