The Two Generals' Problem

The Two Generals’ Problem illustrates the challenge of coordinating actions over an unreliable communication channel. Imagine two generals on separate hills planning an attack against an enemy in the valley below. They must attack simultaneously to succeed but cannot directly verify each other's plans due to potential message loss or delay. They need confirmation that the message was received and understood before proceeding. The dilemma is that no matter how many messages they exchange, there's always uncertainty about whether the other received the last message, making perfect coordination impossible without a guaranteed reliable communication method.