Byzantine Generals Problem (拜占庭将军问题)

Byzantine Generals Problem (拜占庭将军问题 bài zhàntíng jiāng jūn wèn tí) refers to the classical problem in distributed computing when different ends try to agree on a course of action or the state of a system by exchanging information over an unreliable and potentially compromised network.

Part 1: Breakdown of Words

• “拜占庭” (bài zhàn tíng) is the transliteration of “Byzantine”, an ancient empire located at the eastern Mediterranean.
• “General” (将军 jiāng jūn) refers to a commander of an army or a senior military officer.
  • “将” (jiāng) as in “will” (将要 jiāng yào), “future” (将来 jiāng lái), “lieutenant general” (中将 zhōng jiàng).
  • “军” (jūn) as in “troops” (军队 jūn duì), “ground force” (陆军 lù jùn), “legion” (军团 jūn tuán), or “military” (军事 jūn shì).
• “Problem” (问题 wèn tí) as in “math problem” (数学问题 shù xué wèn tí).
  • “问” as in “visit” (访问 fǎng wèn), “doubt” (疑问 yí wèn), or “greetings” (问候 wèn hòu).
  • “题” as in “question” (题目 tí mù), or “topic” (主题 zhǔ tí).