Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake: what is it in simple terms? The key feature of this mathematical problem is asymmetry: it should be moderately difficult for the miner, but easy enough for the network as a whole. This is achieved through cryptography. Every miner in the network tries to solve the problem first; at the same time, it can actually be found only by direct enumeration, so many attempts are required for a successful solution. An example, perhaps a little fantastic, but illustrative. Imagine being handed a keyboard with several million numbered keys. You are looking for exactly the key that you need to complete the task correctly, but you do not know its number, so you sort through everything. There is a crowd around you, also looking for the right key. Suddenly you found the right key, tell everyone “guys, I found the key, its number is 22 875”. Everyone around starts checking key number 22875, and oh yes, it is. The one who finds the key first wins a prize. Each is th...
PoW mining difficulty
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PoW mining difficulty
The difficulty of mining coins is measured by the number of computations required to add a block to the blockchain. Complexity is influenced by many factors: the aggregate of computing power, the number of users, the load on the network, etc. The complexity parameter is introduced so that computational tasks are not solved too quickly, otherwise this will lead to network problems.
In the Bitcoin network, blocks are generated on average every 10 minutes, so the difficulty increases automatically. A large number of network miners and the “absorption” of huge capacities led to the “screening out” of small miners. Initially, bitcoins could be mined on ordinary video cards, today this requires ASIC miners, which cost thousands of dollars.
The PoW algorithm is based on a mechanism that consists of 4 stages:
Generation of mathematical problems that require high power. When making each transaction, the miner must verify his identity. At the same time, the processing of one block can take several days, as in the Bitcoin network.
Creating a known result, which makes it easy to check the results of calculations. From a technical point of view, the results of PoW are similar to the answers to problems that are published in textbooks. The system checks the truth of complex and lengthy calculations in a few seconds.
Network users make transactions by sending a predetermined number of coins to encrypted addresses. Merged transactions form encrypted blocks
The truth of the blocks is checked by lengthy calculations. The user who first solved the problem receives a reward in the form of coins. Confirmed blocks are stored in the blockchain, while the system launches a new round of transactions. Each network node receives a copy for data synchronization.
The PoW algorithm generates tasks that have a set solution time, for each type of equipment there is a set interval. Such a mechanism maximizes the computing power of the miners. The total amount of computation required to add a new block to the chain is reflected in the mining difficulty metrics. At this stage of blockchain development, the complexity of mining automatically increases.