What is a Hard Fork?

April 30, 2019

FrederikNielsen
33

Hard Fork vs. Soft Fork: Understanding the Difference

Any cryptocurrency enthusiast must have come across the two terms hard fork and soft fork at least once. They are frequently used and often synonymously by users in the cryptocurrency space. The innovation blockchain that is the core of cryptocurrencies is a type of dispersed ledger consisting of ever-mounting blocks of data, forming a chain. Since cryptocurrencies follow decentralized approaches, the users have to abide by a set of rules in order to confirm their transactions and to keep a consensus.

What is a Fork?

A fork happens when blockchains split in half because of the split in the record or in a modification. Forks takes place when there when more than one miner comes across a similar t block causing a dual split chain. When such a division occurs in the protocol due to change in guidelines, it indicates a modification in the basic codes by the designers. These splits are permanent in nature and can’t be undone.

To understand the procedure in greater depth and also what happens when a fork occurs, we must take a look at both hard and soft forks. A basic grasp of the two will allow us to form a distinction between the two and stop using the words synonymously.

Hard Fork vs. Soft Fork –Identifying the differences

Hard forks symbolizes a long-term deviation in a blockchain. These occur when a non-upgraded node seizes its operations and looks for confirmation regarding any modification made by an updated node.

Conversely, soft forks are short-term deviations in the blockchain. They typically occur when non-graded nodes seize their operations in order to follow new consensus rules.

Hard Forks

A hard fork characterizes a permanent and time-consuming modification from previous blockchain variations. In a layman’s terms, a hard fork is a lot like an application upgrade. Hard forks occurs when the software rejects an earlier version because of incompatibility due to the upgrade.

Soft Forks

Alternatively, soft forks are approaches to update blockchain. Although very old, they are still suitable. Simply put, soft forks are application upgrades, backward-compatible with previous versions of the application. Soft forks don’t need nodes to maintain or update a consensus within the network. This is because soft forks follow an earlier set of consensus guidelines as well as new ones.

Whenever a soft fork happens, nodes that produce blocks and follow an older consensus set breach the new consensus guidelines. To ensure a soft fork works fine, most of the miners must not only recognize the unique consensus set but also implement it within the network.

Final Word

These were some of the major differences between hard forks and soft forks. A true cryptocurrency enthusiast will easily differentiate between the two. When blockchain states are in consideration, users must always achieve a consensus. A basic knowledge about hard and soft fork will make investing better. This know-how will assist in mentoring the user to opt for the best option when trying to reap the most benefits.

Frederik Nielsen
Frederik Nielsen

I’m a freelance writer and full-time curious person. My main interests are philosophy, politics, art, culture, science, and how they’re all interlinked. When I’m not writing, I’m fronting a band, producing records, and making videos. I’m also currently working on launching a YouTube channel that will focus on culture and politics. I think blockchain technology is fascinating because of the huge potential it has to revolutionise not only the financial sector, but society as a whole.

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