Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#2571

1.A hard for makes previosly invalid blocks valid and a soft fork make previously valid blocks invalid.
that means on the hard fork there is a expansion to the current set of rules.And on the soft fork there is a contraction of the current set of rules.
2.A reason is when there is a need of change in the consensus and would make the be easier to serve the best purpose of the blockchain.
3.To split the hash power and to easily manipulate the blockchain by doing that.

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#2572

1.a soft fork makes the previous valid blocks invalid
a hard fork is a makes the previous invalid block valid.
2.You would use a hard fork to increase the block size to be able to handle more transactions
3. it will split the community and hash rate that could lead to security being at risk.

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#2573

1.A softfork makes the blocksize smaller while a hard fork makes it bigger
Softfork: previously valid blocks become invalid. Hardfork: previously invalid blocks become valid.

  1. If you don’t like the functions on the network and you want to change it, ponteially update it.

  2. The chain will split, community will split and you could get lesser security for the network.

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#2574
  1. A hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid. A softfork makes previousli valid blocks invalid.
  2. To update the system. For example to make the blocksize bigger.
  3. You split the chain and the comunity and therefor it becomes more vulnerable.
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#2575
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid. A softfork makes previously valid blocks, invalid.
  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    It creates a clear update. 100% of the nodes on the network need to update. There may be important updates that add security or functionality to the network.
  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    The community becomes split along with the chain. The hash power also becomes split. It seems more alienating than a soft fork.
2 Likes
#2576
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    soft fork decreases the rule set and makes previously valid block invalid. E.g. the block size used to be up up to 2MB and newly only up to 1MB. Hard fork is the opposite => an increase to the rules.
  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    To enhance or improve a blockchain, to fix a bug.
  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    Split of the Chain, Community, decreasing hash power.
1 Like
#2577

  • What is the difference between a soft fork and a hard fork?
    A soft fork happens due to an update that makes previously valid blocks as invalid blocks.
    A hard fork happens due to an update that makes previously invalid blocks valid.

  • What are some of the reasons why you would do a hard fork?
    In the process of updating rules, hard forks may happen. If any node wants to keep working with old rules, then it can continue to work with all other nodes that think the same.

  • What are some of the risks of performing a hard fork?
    An update that leads to a hard fork may cause a split in blockchain, community, hash power.

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#2578

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    Hard Forks make previously invalid blocks valid while Soft Forks make previously valid blocks invalid.

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    A hard fork would be done to increase the block size and expand the rule set. I would also be used to create a new blockchain. It is a clear democratic update to the blockchain.

  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    It splits the blockchain as well as the community and the hash power is reduced as miner leave the old chain to go to the new chain.

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#2579

  1. A soft fork contracts the rule set. It makes rules more strict, so that previously valid blocks become invalid. If at least 50% of the miners update to the new rules, there will be no network split. A hard fork is the opposite, it expands the rule set. It makes rules less strict, so that previously invalid blocks become valid. Unless 100% of the miners update to the new rules, there will be a network split.

  2. It is a clear rule change - you either agree with the change or you will end up on a different blockchain. Another reason is when you want to do an important rule change that is not compatible with the old rules.

  3. You run a high risk of a network split. If you split the network you also split the hash power and the community.

3 Likes
#2580

  1. While soft and hard forks involve an update, soft forks make previously valid blocks invalid; the opposite is true for hard forks which make previously invalid blocks valid.

  2. Hard forks are good incentives for keeping the network updated/expanded and secure with underlying consensus.

  3. Nodes who refuse to update, create hard forks; they can’t participate in the blockchain, so they are incentivized to update to keep receiving rewards. Also forks create a philosophical divide within broader community of users.

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#2581

  1. Soft fork does not result in the split of the community and the chain, Hard fork means that the community splits, the chains splits, the consensus ends up being different and we get new crypto, i.e., BTC ->BCH hard fork.

  2. The reason is likely a different vision for the project, and it could be several different things.

  3. Splitting the community, splitting the chain, splitting the network all together.

2 Likes
#2582

1). HF: updates previously invalid block valid
SF: Updates valid blocks invalid
2)when a fork has happened and the block chain has chosen, and there are blocks that are left behind
3)the hash power reduces by 50% so it increase s the security within the network

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#2583

What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

With a soft fork the blockchain stays intact. A hard fork forces a blockchain to split.

What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?

You want to change the ruleset of a blockchain (improve performance, add functionality)

What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?

Through a hard fork some hash power and thus security is lost.

1 Like
#2584
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

A soft fork is when previous blocks that were valid become invalid and hard forks are where previous blocks were invalid become valid.

  1. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?

A change in consensus rules and to expand the network by introducing blocks of a higher capacity.

  1. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?

The hash power would be split creating a less secure blockchain, the network would also be split creating two chains and the community would also be split.

1 Like
#2585
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

Softfork makes previously valid blocks invalid and a hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid

  1. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?

A hardfork is a clear update to the blockchain protocol or rules, ie a change to block size is one example

  1. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?

Splits the community and reduces the hashing power of the network which diminishes the security of the network

1 Like
#2586

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    With a hardfork the blockchain is split into 2 different blockchains making miners to split and the introduction of a new currency. A softfork will not split the blockchain, it will update and continue on the same one. Even if all miner don’t agree and update to the new version they will still be able to mine blocks.

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    A hardfork is done to introduce a new update when a soft fork cannot be created. Softforks are usually preferred.

  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    An hardfork will split the blockchain into 2 different chains also splitting miners as they will hate to pick a chain. With less miners on a chain the security in the chain is also lower.

1 Like
#2587

Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A soft fork is where previously valid blocks are made invalid via a software update and only requires a majority to agree; a hard fork, conversely, make previously invalid blocks valid, and requires all to upgrade their software.
  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    A hard fork is a clean break and provides for a change in direction as for as the telos / purpose is concerned.
  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    A split in the community over which vision / chain to adhere to; a split in hashing power as chains are chosen (old vs. new)
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#2588

  1. They are both forks who came from updates, softfork makes previously invalid blocks valid and hardfork makes previously valid blocks invalid

  2. Splitting up the blockchain for making a new currency

  3. The hash power will be decreased compared to the original chain

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#2589
  1. A hard fork update is an expansion of the rule set and previous invalid blocks are valid where a soft fork is a contraction of the rule set and valid blocks are now invalid.
  2. A hard fork would be done if consensus needed to be changed.
  3. The risk would be split hash power and a less secure network and a split chain.
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#2590

  1. soft fork contracts the ruleset (what would previously have been valid blocks are invalid now), hard fork expands it (what would previously have been invalid blocks are valid now).

  2. if one wants a split, e.g. allowing two camps to separate.

  3. split chain means split hashrate, thus reduction in security, and potentially a split in the community

1 Like