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Rollups
Rollups are a Layer-2 scaling solution that already enhance Cardano’s transaction throughput by executing transactions off-chain while still maintaining on-chain security through cryptographic proofs. They allow for a much higher volume of transactions to be processed efficiently, reducing both the load on the main blockchain and transaction costs, while preserving the security and decentralization of…
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Validiums
Validiums are a type of Layer-2 scaling solution similar to rollups, but with a key distinction: while rollups store data on-chain, Validiums store data off-chain, allowing for even greater scalability without putting a strain on the main blockchain. This approach combines the benefits of off-chain data storage with on-chain verification, improving throughput while still ensuring…
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Two-staged Validation
Two-staged validation on Cardano is a process designed to enhance the security, efficiency, and correctness of smart contract execution in the blockchain’s Extended UTXO (eUTXO) model. It separates the validation of smart contracts into two distinct phases: off-chain validation and on-chain validation. This structure optimizes the execution of smart contracts by reducing the computational load…
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Min Pool Cost
The Min Pool Cost on Cardano refers to the minimum fixed fee that a stake pool operator (SPO) can charge from the rewards they earn in each epoch. This fee is deducted from the total rewards before they are distributed to the delegators who have staked their ADA to that pool. The purpose of the…
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Reward-sharing Scheme (RSS)
The Reward-Sharing Scheme (RSS) on Cardano is a mechanism designed to distribute rewards earned from staking and block production among stake pool operators (SPOs) and delegators who delegate their ADA to stake pools. This system incentivizes both stake pool operators and ADA holders to participate in securing the network through staking while ensuring that rewards…
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Stake Distribution Snapshots
Stake Distribution Snapshots on Cardano refer to periodic records of how much ADA is delegated to various stake pools at specific points in time. These snapshots are critical for the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and determine which stake pools are eligible to produce blocks and earn rewards during the next epoch. An epoch in Cardano…
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Small-Step Semantics System
A Small-Step Semantics system, also known as Operational Semantics, is a formal approach used to describe the behavior of programming languages by breaking down the execution of a program into small, incremental steps. In this system, each small step represents a basic operation or transition from one state of the program to the next, describing…
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Expressive Type System
An expressive type system in programming refers to a type system that provides rich and detailed ways of classifying and describing the data within a program. It goes beyond basic type checking (such as ensuring that variables are of the correct type) and allows for more nuanced types that can encode additional constraints, behaviors, or…
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Ranking Blocks
Ranking blocks on Cardano refer to a part of the Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, where blocks produced by elected leaders are ranked according to certain criteria to ensure proper block selection and chain growth. Ranking helps determine which blocks are considered valid and included in the blockchain, ensuring that the chain grows securely and…
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Provable Security
Provable security on Cardano refers to the use of formal mathematical models and proofs to demonstrate that its consensus algorithm, Ouroboros, and other cryptographic components are secure under certain assumptions. Unlike heuristic or empirical approaches, provable security ensures that the protocol’s security properties can be rigorously analyzed and demonstrated mathematically, offering a higher level of…
