An API Query Layer is a part of the software architecture that allows users or applications to retrieve, manipulate, and interact with data through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). It acts as an intermediary between users and a database, enabling the querying and fetching of specific data through structured requests. APIs provide a way for external…

In the context of blockchain and smart contracts, an escrow is a financial arrangement where a third party temporarily holds and manages the funds involved in a transaction between two parties until certain conditions are met. Escrows on Cardano are implemented using Plutus smart contracts, ensuring trustless and secure transactions without the need for a…

A type system is a set of rules that assigns types to various parts of a computer program, such as variables, expressions, functions, or modules. These types define what kind of values the program components can take and what operations can be performed on them. Type systems help catch errors during compilation or runtime by…

A native asset on Cardano is a type of token that is created and managed directly on the Cardano blockchain, alongside the ADA cryptocurrency, without the need for smart contracts. This contrasts with how assets are typically handled on other blockchains like Ethereum, where smart contracts (e.g., ERC-20 for fungible tokens and ERC-721 for NFTs)…

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…

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…

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…

Game theory is a branch of mathematics that studies strategic interactions between decision-makers (often referred to as players) in situations where the outcome for each participant depends not only on their own decisions but also on the decisions of others. It analyzes how individuals or groups make choices in competitive or cooperative environments, aiming to…

Ouroboros mini-protocols are a set of specialized communication protocols designed to support the operation of Ouroboros, the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism used by Cardano. These mini-protocols manage various aspects of communication between nodes, such as block propagation, transaction submission, and chain synchronization, ensuring efficient and secure consensus across the network. By breaking down the interactions…

Mini-protocols on Cardano are lightweight, specialized communication protocols designed to facilitate specific tasks between nodes in the network. These protocols break down the communication between nodes into simpler, modular components, each responsible for a particular aspect of the interaction, such as transaction propagation, block validation, or stake delegation. This modular approach helps to optimize the…