New returns a newly allocated and initialized MessageBuffer for the given nodeID and with the given initial capacity.

NewBuffers returns multiple buffers, one for each node listed in nodeIDs.

Current message, should be applied now.

Future message, cannot be applied yet, but might need to be applied in the future.

Invalid message, cannot be processed.

Past message, usually outdated, no need to process it at all.

MessageBuffer represents a message buffer, buffering messages from a single node.

Applicable is an enum-style type representing the status of a message stored in the message buffer.