Consensus Protocols
Consensus protocols are algorithms or mechanisms that enable multiple distributed nodes or processes in a network to agree on a single data value or state, ensuring consistency and reliability in decentralized systems. They are fundamental to distributed computing, blockchain technology, and fault-tolerant systems, preventing issues like double-spending or data conflicts. Common examples include Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT).
Developers should learn consensus protocols when working on distributed systems, blockchain applications, or any scenario requiring coordination among unreliable or adversarial nodes, such as in cryptocurrencies, cloud computing, or IoT networks. They are essential for building scalable, secure, and resilient applications that can handle failures or malicious actors without a central authority, ensuring data integrity and system availability.