What is Byzantine Generals’ problem?

Firstly in this article I just explain what is Byzantine and problem behind it, I will not make you feel stupid with words like distributed systems, blockchain, public ledger, bitcoin and etc, for these sort of words I will make it as whole one articles next time.If you think it is bored or whatever you think or feel just leave and find another funny article.

Eastern Roman empire aka Byzantine with millions of generals and lieutenants. Once upon time they encircled city with divisions separated into different places.Then King of Roman empire has died unexpectedly and there was no head of Byzantine army except their generals who has equal power in front of divisions.Each generals take control of their divisions and each generals far away from each other.Without King generals have to make actions.Generals has two options neither attack at one time or retreat.In order to obey city Generals should attack together with all divisions otherwise they can’t obey city or Generals can retreat to avoid from loose anyway they have to make actions without center(King).As you understand actions evolve communicating generals with each other but they can’t communicate cause they are far away with each other, they can only communicate with messengers.When they want to make actions they send their own action via messengers.Here is one problem encounter among generals there are some generals who are traitor and work for enemy.

But How do generals betray ?

Good question Sardor.

Let’s say Byzantine consists 3 division with 3 generals(Yeah in reality it is more than 3 division , it is just a example)and first general is traitor , second and third ones are good generals not traitors.First general send his own action to the second one with action ATTACK to the third one with action RETREAT. That’s how first general make betray, in case of second and third generals they send message with action to ATTACK to each other generals. Let’s summarize, each generals has two actions from other generals .First general has 2 attack action, second general has 2 attack actions, third generals has 1 attack and 1 retreat actions.

As you can see above , problem is generals are separated physically. They have to come up with general agreement as we call it in science consensus.What General 3 going to do attack or retreat?

In conclusion, That is whole problem about Byzantine Generals’ problem, in my next article I will write about its solution, hope you guys enjoyed about it.If you have loved my article then like my post then read another my articles.