Understanding distributed systems is essential to the understanding of blockchain technology, as blockchain is a distributed system at its core.
It is a distributed ledger which can be centralized or decentralized.
How They Power Modern Blockchain Networks
A blockchain is originally intended to be and is usually used as a decentralized platform.
It can be thought of as a system that has properties of both decentralized and distributed paradigms.
Distributed systems are a computing paradigm whereby two or more nodes work with each other in a coordinated fashion to achieve a common outcome.
It is modeled in such a way that end users see it as a single logical platform.
For example, Google’s search engine is based on a large distributed system, but to a user, it looks like a single, coherent platform.
A node can be defined as an individual player in a distributed system.
Why This Matters for Blockchain Technology
All nodes are capable of sending and receiving messages to and from each other.
Nodes can be honest, faulty, or malicious, and they have memory and a processor.
A node that exhibits irrational behavior is also known as a Byzantine node after the Byzantine Generals Problem.
The Byzantine Generals problem In 1982, a thought experiment was proposed by Lamport and others in their research paper, The Byzantine Generals Problem which is available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/byzantine-generals-problem/ whereby a group of army generals who lead different parts of the Byzantine army are planning to attack or retreat from a city.
Key Points to Remember
- Distributed systems Understanding distributed systems is essential to the understanding of blockchain technology, as blockchain is a distributed system at its core.
- It is a distributed ledger which can be centralized or decentralized.
- A blockchain is originally intended to be and is usually used as a decentralized platform.
- It can be thought of as a system that has properties of both decentralized and distributed paradigms.
Going Deeper: Advanced Concepts
They need to agree to strike at the same time in order to win.
The issue is that one or more generals might be traitors who could send a misleading message.
Therefore, there is a need for a viable mechanism that allows for agreement among the generals, even in the presence of the treacherous ones, so that the attack can still take place at the same time.
As an analogy to distributed systems, the generals can be considered nodes, the traitors as Byzantine (malicious) nodes, and the messenger can be thought of as a channel of communication among the generals.
Conclusion
Distributed systems represents one of the many innovative layers that make blockchain technology so powerful and transformative. As distributed systems continue to evolve, a solid understanding of these core concepts becomes increasingly valuable — not just for developers, but for anyone building, investing in, or working alongside blockchain-powered systems.
Whether you are just starting your blockchain journey or deepening existing expertise, mastering these fundamentals gives you the tools to think clearly about decentralized systems and make smarter decisions in this rapidly evolving space.