Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#3612
  1. Soft forks makes previously valid blocks invalid while hard forks makes previously invalid blocks valid.
  2. Reasons to do a hard fork are expanding set of rules and change in consensus.
  3. Some risks are the chain split and the community split.
1 Like
#3613

  1. A soft fork is an update that makes previously valid forks invalid.

  2. To add scalability or increased security, consensus change to improve network bugs reduce fees charged on the blockchain.

  3. The main risks when performing a hard fork is that some miners may not agree with the update and elect to remain under previously set rules. This could result in reduced hash power leaving the blockchain less secure, split the community and split the chain.

1 Like
#3614
  1. Hardfork - previously invalid block are made valid, Softfork - previously valid block are made invalid
  2. Hardfork is a clear break from the old chain and nodes can democratically choose which chain they would like to support. Hardfork would allow an expansion on the rules of the governing block production (consensus change)
  3. Hardfork can split up the commmunity into two camps (also resulting in split in hash power). This can contribute to decreased security, creation of new currencies, that might be undesirable.
1 Like
#3615

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A hardfork is an update that represents an expansion of the rule set. This makes previous invalid blocks, valid. On the other hand, a softfork is a contraction of the rule set that makes previous valid blocks, invalid.

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    Because of a change in consensus rules. This modification can be derived from a particular need; e.g. more number of transactions are needed on a block

  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    The main risk is that some nodes might not accept the new rule set and leave. This means less hashing power (decreasing security) and community split

1 Like
#3616

  1. Soft fork is an update to the blockchain that makes previously valid blocks invalid whilst Hardforks makes the previously invalid blocks valid. Soft fork is a contraction of rule sets and hard fork is an expansion of rule sets.

  2. If you would like to expand the rule sets and create a new currency with changed consensus.

  3. Hard fork will split hash power which makes the blockchain less secure. It also splits the community because not all will agree on the new changes. Like Bitcoin cash.

1 Like
#3617

Ans.1 Soft fork makes previously valid block invalid. On the other hand Hard fork makes previously invalid block valid.

Ans.2 Hardfork assures all the nodes/miners get their hashpower updated to accept new block size. There is no chains concept after hard forks updates as previous nodes that have not updates will eventually needs to update.

Ans.3 Chaining. Not democratic as all nodes are forced to update.

1 Like
#3618

1.Hard forks make invalid blocks valid a Soft forks make valid blocks invalid (one expands and the other contracts).
2.The Update is clear and Democratic.
3.The chain gets split. the community gets split and the hash power gets slit, which leads to reduced security.

1 Like
#3619
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    the softfork is when a valid block become invalid and hardfork is when an invalid block become valid
  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    Hardfork can happen when you want to increase the size of the block like bitcoin and bitcoin cash
  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    different protocol different block network and different communities
1 Like
#3620

1.A hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid, soft forks do the opposite.
2.To make a clear update everyone must adhere to. If consensus must be changed.
3.Can split the blockchain in two splitting the community which would also create a hash power split.

1 Like
#3621

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A: A soft fork is a protocol update where changes are backward compatible with the existing software, with all nodes essentially being forced to update and move to just the one fork, as gradually any nodes that have not been updated will have their mined blocks rejected by upgraded nodes. A hard fork creates two distinct and immutable blockchain forks once the update is applied, where nodes following the older protocols will eventually become incompatible with the blockchain fork running the newer version software, and vice versa.

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    A: If a blockchain community breaks down and fails to reach a consensus for whatever reason, a breakaway group may democratically choose to split from the original network and branch off with their own chain. Or, a community may overwhelmingly vote for a hard fork as the best option going forward to introduce an upgrade to the blockchain software.

  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    A: As the hashing power will now be dispersed over the two forked blockchains, and it’s miners that secure the network, there’s a risk of security vulnerability. Also, where there has been a split in the blockchain which has resulted in say a new currency, this can cause total confusion for blockchain users who are not miners.

1 Like
#3622
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

Hardforks expand the rules for valid blocks while softforks reduce them.

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

One will do a hardfork to and an improvement or fix a bug in a protocol. Sometimes a hardfork will result in a different currency.

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

The network can become less secure with splitting the chain.

1 Like
#3623
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

A hardfork comes from an update that makes previously invalid blocks, valid. Where as a softfork comes from an update which makes previously valid blocks, invalid.

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

To change the consensus, or create new currencies.

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

A hardfork would split the chain and reduce hash power, making the network less secure.

1 Like
#3624

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A softfork makes previously valid blocks invalid. A hardfork does the opposite and makes previously invalid blocks valid

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

  • It’s more democratic
  • creates a new currency
  1. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
  • Hash power is divided onto two chains, security risks. Furthermore it will weaken the community
1 Like
#3625
  1. Soft Fork contracts the rule set, making the previously valid blocks invalid & the Hard Forks expands the rule set, making the previously invalid blocks valid.
  2. A Hard Fork would be done to change consensus rule set.
  3. Split the chain, the community and hash rate, making it less secure.
1 Like
#3626 
What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

Soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid while hard fork will do the opposite.

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

to start a new chain (currency), more democratic

What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?

hash power split - security split, community split

2 Likes
#3627

What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
A soft fork contracts the rules set, making previously valid blocks invalid, whereas a hardfork expands the rule set, making previously invalid blocks valid.

What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
A hardfork would be done if there’s a change in consensus rules.

What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
Some risks in performing a hardfork fork include splitting the hash power, splitting the chain, and splitting the community.

2 Likes
#3628

  1. A softfork update makes priviously valid block invalid, on the other hand a hardfork udate makes previously invalid block valid.

  2. An Update to consensus rules.

  3. A hard fork update causes hash power split that reduces security compare to the original.

1 Like
#3629

1 - Hard fork previously invalid blocks become valid and for a soft fork vice versa. Hard fork for blocks =>1mb and soft fork =<1mb.
2 Hard forks happen with an update of consensus rules , for block to be valid
3 All nodes need to update otherwise a split chain is created , some nodes will linger on the old chain.

1 Like
#3630
  1. A hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid and a softfork is vice versa; HF is an expansion of rules set and SF is a contraction.
  2. A clear update, a new currency, democratic.
  3. Split the chain and the community, lose miners and potentially compromise security by reducing the hash power.
1 Like
#3631

What is the difference between a soft fork and a hard fork?

A soft fork is a contraction of the consensus rules that makes previously valid blocks invalid, whereas a hard fork is an expansion of the consensus rules which makes previously invalid blocks valid.

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

A hard fork may be done if:

  • a new currency is desired
  • the community consensus is split on the new update rules
  • a clear break with the blockchain is needed

What are some of the risks with performing a hard fork?

Risks of a hard fork include:

  • a split in the community
  • reduced has power and therefore
  • reduced security
1 Like