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A soft fork occurs when an update causes previously valid blocks to become invalid. This can be viewed as a contraction of the consensus rules.
A hard fork occurs when an update causes previously invalid blocks to become valid. This can be viewed as an expansion of the consensus rules. -
A hard fork allows for a clear update, which might have been the result of the community attempting to address a problem that was inherent within the constricted ruleset. It is also more democratic, since it does not force those who wish to remain with the old ruleset to change.
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The risk of hard forks lies in the fact that the split in the blockchain means that hash power is also divided as a consequence. This reduces security.
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A soft fork is a contraction of the rule set, and a hard fork is an expansion of the rule set.
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Some reasons why you would do a hard fork are that you might want to expand the rule set (e.g. increase the block size) or create a new currency.
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When performing a hard fork, you risk splitting the chain and the community. It also risks splitting the hash power, with some miners now working on other chains, and also reduces security.
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- Soft forks make previously valid blocks invalid and hard forks make previously invalid forks valid.
2.Changing functions within the the block that where previously invalid. - The functionâs could spit the consensus within the agreed changes.
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HW
- What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
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hardfork- previously valid blocks now invalid- expansion of rule set
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soft fork- previously invalid blocks now valid- contraction of rule set
- What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
- not too clear on this- Can anyone help explain?
- What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
- decrease in hash power which leads to decrease in security
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One reason might be to increase block size 
or to upgrade consensus, fix a security bugâŚ
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Softfork makes previous valid blocks invalid. Hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid.
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Increase the parameters of a rule. Or remove a rule that is found to be a detriment to the network.
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Splits the chain with miners that do not wish to update. Reduces the overall hashpower which reduces blockchain security. Creates 2 versions of the currency (blockchain).
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- Hard fork update - expansion of rule set where previously invalid blocks become valid
Soft fork update - contraction of rule set where previously valid block become invalid. - Need in consensus rule change.
- Split of blockchain -> Split of hash power -> Lowering network security -> Split of community
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- A hard fork expands ability and allows invalid blocks to become valid. A soft fork limits ability and makes some valid blocks invalid
- It might be necessary or desired to upgrade the system
- It can cause a schism in the community and possibly create a separate coin.
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1- Hard fork (Expansion) & Soft Fork (Contraction). Hard forks are is a longer update which involves 100% validation of nodes when on the other hand Soft forks will be generally will be shorter length wait and the majority of nodes will get the block approved regardless there are still nodes that invalidate that block rule.
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- Make the network safer.
- Get a clear signal of definition of the nodes validation.
- Democratic consensus
3- It makes network vulnerable by splitting chain, community and hash power
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1, Soft forks make previously valid blocks invalid, hard forks make previously invalid blocks valid.
2, To make a change in consensus rules
3, Split the community and deducing hash power
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A soft fork is when an update makes a previously valid block invalid. It contracts the rules. The nodes who havenât been updated will ignore the block with the new rule and make another chain with itâs previous rules. Only the majority of nodes need to be updated so the updated nodes will continue to add to the updated chain and switch over to that. A hard fork is when an update makes a previously invalid block valid. It expands the rules. Some of the nodes will ignore the new update and create a fork because it will not append to the updated block. 100% of the nodes need to update to avoid a fork.
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You would do a hard fork when you increase the rules of the block; for example increasing a block size from 1mB to 2mB.
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Risks with performing a hard fork are a decrease in security because the hash power is split, and the chain splits.
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- What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
Soft forks make previous valid blocks invalid also is a contraction. Hard forks make pervious valid blocks invalid also a expansion.
- What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
To improve the code, expand network, and change protocol.
- What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
Some risks are splitting the chain, community ,and hash power.
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Very interesting, Iâm very interested about all these things.
thank you very much for answering my question and helping me get out of that mental block 
1.) Soft Fork tightens the ruleset - valid blocks become invalid. Hard Fork widens the ruleset - invalid blocks become valid.
2.) You need to expand the ruleset. For example make the block size bigger.
3.) Chain will split and make a new crypto currency. You loose community and hashpower. You will never get 100% of the network to update.
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- Softforks makes valid blocks invalid (contraction) and hardforks makes invalid blocks valid (expansion)
- Change the set of rules. An update in consensus network
- Hash power split and that reduces the network security
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a hard for is when there is a consensus update that validates blocks that were previously invalid. whereas, a soft fork does the opposite and invalidated previously valid forks.
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A hardfork s to expand the network to accept more blocks.
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All of the nodes may not adhere to the update and stay with the older version of the blockchain and reduce the security of the network.
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Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions
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What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork? Hardforks are an update that makes previously invalid blocks valid and softforks are an update that makes previously valid blocks invalid.
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What are some of the reasons why you would do a hard fork? You would do a hardfork if you wanted to increase the original block size of the chain to fit more transactions per block.
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What are some of the risks of performing a hard fork? The hash rate and security of the original blockchain is decreased due to nodes spilitting to validate transitions on the old and new blockchain created due to the hardfork.
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A hard fork comes from updates that makes previous invalid blocks valid. (inclusive)
A soft fork comes from updates that makes previous valid blocks invalid. (exclusive)
A reason you would want a hard fork would be to get more of a group consensus (most agree to the new rule), fix bugs and improve overall performance.
Risks of a hard fork is that it splits the chain, the community, the hash power and security.
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A hard fork makes previously invalid blocks, valid. A soft fork makes previously valid forks, invalid.
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Hard forks are used to update consensus rules.
3.Security issues, a split chain, two truths until the hashpower is resolved, split community.
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- A softfork makes a previously valid block, invalid. A hardfork makes a previously invalid block, valid?
- Some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork would be to (1) Make a âcleanâ, clear break between the previous and new blockchain (2) Allow the Miner community to make a positive choice as to what udpates / chains to support
- A hardfork risks Splitting the Miner community and reduces the available Hashpower, reducing the security / reliability of the service provided by the Miners
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