Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

[MarcelJ]

Answers to “Soft and Hard Forks” Questions:

1. A soft fork makes previous valid blocks invalid, while a hard fork makes previous invalid blocks valid (expansion of rule set)

2. Making important changes to the rule set like changing the block size limit

3. If not 100% of the network upgrades, the fork will happen. It will split the community , creates a new currency, hash power split.

[urek85]

1. Hard forks makes previous invalid blocks valid and Soft forks makes previous valid blocks invalid.
2. One of the reasons might be willing to create a new currency (like it happened with Bitcoin when Bitcoin cash and Bitcoin gold have been created). The other reason is for example willing to change consensus. You might like to change size of blocks and if not everyone will follow your new rules, than we will have 2 different versions of blockchain. The main blockchain will split in 2 still valid chains which will use different rules.
3. When we perform a hard fork few things can happen:
   a) Blockchain will split and security will be decreased
   b) Liquidity will split, as if for example new currency occur some people will go for it.
   c) Community will split and new blocks won’t be support old blocks.

[Andreas_Langes]

1. softfork: tightening the rules, meaning valid blocks are not valid anymore after the update.
   hardfork: expanding the rules.

2. a change of consensus rules

3. splitting the community, less hash power,

[ralunascuti]

1. a soft fork = update that makes previously VALID block - INVALID
   and a hard fork = update that makes previously INVALID block - VALID

2.It is clear and democractic.
3.Split chain, split communities

[MES]

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
   SF: makes previously valid blocks invalid
   HF: makes previously invalid blocks valid
2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
   New currency
3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
   Security! Since hash power is split

[Ash-G]

1. Soft forks make previously valid forks invalid.
   Hard forks make previously invalid forks valid.

2. Concensus decides to change the rules, for a need to make an expansive change.

3. Because the fork is split, it decreases security as there is less hash power of the original chain, plus the new chains security is initially vulnerable. The division also splits the community.

[Geri18]

1. Soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid, hard fork makes invalid blocks valid
2. A change/update in the consensus rules
3. splitting the community, new currency, hash power split, which leads to network security issues

[Cosmin_Fechet]

1. The difference is that soft fork is an contraction of the rule and the hard fork is an expansion of the rule.

2. Democratic.

3. The risk is that the chain will be splitting and all the nodes will need to make the update which will divide the communities.

[Chazzman22]

1. Hard forks are an expansion of the rule set like BTC to Bcash and it requires the whole network to update.
   Soft forks are a constriction of the rule set (like ETH 2.0 i beileve) and requires only 51% of the hash.
   2.update a flaw or to make to block size higher to have more Tx.
   3.It could spilt your community and the chain, Less hash power for your network, and less security on chain.

[wilsonlee123]

1. Hard forks make previously invalid blocks valid. It creates a split where a whole bunch of nodes will not accept a block, and a new chain will. Nodes either update or split.
   Soft forks make previously valid blocks invalid. Instead of splitting like a hard fork, it creates a limit on something that didn’t have it before. The nodes that didn’t update will still accept the updated ones, which keeps everyone included.
2. Hard forks are done when there is an update to the consensus rules.
3. They compromise the integrity of the blockchain and create a split in the network.

[KVRom]

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

Soft forks make previously valid blocks invalid, and hard forks make previous invalid blocks valid. Hardforks split the chain, split the community and the hash power is split. Hard forks are a clear update. Soft forks are majority rule so there is more confusion. Soft forks have no chain split. Soft forks keep the community but there is a lack of validation.

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

You would want to do a hardfork if you want to change the rules in a way that you think will improve the coin for everyone, like changing the block size limit for example. Those that disagree with the update will stay on the other fork, and those that agree will continue with the new hardfork.

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

The hardfork will fully split the blockchain so the community will now be split which also splits the hashpower. You might risk some security of the network by having less hashpower.

[PavlinT]

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

• the difference between them – Expansion / Contraction of the ruleset
  HF : Makes previously invalid blocks – Valid , which is an Expansion of the ruleset.
  SF : Makes previously valid blocks – Invalid , Which is a Contraction of the ruleset.

2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
   Adding new content & rules / expanding the network ablities
3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
   They require 100% adoption to avoid splitting the community and hash power of the network, reducing the security of both chains

[perdi07]

1. A HF makes previously invalid forks valid
   SF makes previously valid forks invalid.
2. To update the rules of the consensus .
3. The hard fork can result in
   Splitting the chain which results in the hash power being split and therefore reducing security.

[benj]

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

A soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid (contracting the rules) whereas a hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid (expanding the rules).

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

You might hard fork to solve problems with block size and / or transaction fees. It is clearer and arguably more democratic than a soft fork because everyone has to simply choose whether or not to move to the new or remain on the old chain.

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

Splitting the hash power reduces the security of the network, while splitting the community reduces the influence behind the project.

[DPrice67]

1. A hard fork results from an update that makes previously invalid blocks valid, while a soft fork results from an update that does the opposite; makes previously valid blocks invalid.
2. A hardfork would be done if there was a need to change the consensus rules.
3. A hardfork risks splitting the community, as well as splitting the blockchain which decreases hash power and security.

[Mizener01]

1. A Hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid and a Soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid.

2. If you need a change in the consensus rules.

3. Split the community and you split the hash rate so lowers security.

[JustJon]

1.) Hard fork makes for an expansion in the rule set while a soft fork does the opposite.
2.) It’s a clear update and is democratic
3.) A slit in a coin and currency, split community, split in hash power.

[kyelynn]

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
   ~Soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid and hard fork makes invalid blocks valid.

2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
   ~When Consensus rules change.

3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
   ~Community split, hash power split.

[Arie]

1. Softfork makes previously valid blocks invalid , hardfork vice versa
2. If consensus doesn’t meet industry requirements ( not properly functional, for example) it makes sense to change it via a hardfork
3. The main risk is getting less security due to deterioration of a hash power. Split of chain and community are another risk.

[fakz]

1. Softfork makes valid blocks invalid while Hardfork makes invalid blocks valid. Softforks contracts the consensus rule set while Hardfork expands the consensus rule set.

2. To improve functionality in the network by adding more consensus rule set.

3. It could reduce safety and security by causing the Hash power to split.