Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

[skawal22]

What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

A hard fork is a radical upgrade that can make previous transactions and blocks either valid or invalid
and requires all validators in a network to upgrade to a newer version. It’s not backward-compatible.
A soft fork is an upgrade to the software that is backward-compatible and has validators in an older
version of the chain see the new version as valid.

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

Hard forks are upgrades that are necessary to improve the network as blockchain technology continues to evolve. Several reasons can be behind a hard fork, and not all of them negative:

1. Add functionality
2. Correct security risks
3. Resolve a disagreement within a cryptocurrency’s community
4. Reverse transactions on the blockchain

What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?

The real danger is that the blockchain will split in two parallel blockchains. Miners, merchants, users
(via wallets and other software), etc. that did not upgrade will support/use blockchain A and miners,
merchants, users, etc. that did upgrade will support/use blockchain B. Since he bitcoin users and community are also split. Each blockchain instead of having X nodes (the nodes before the split) that keep it secure will have X/2 nodes. Several merchants accept bitcoin but some accept version A and some version B… and so on. This is not user friendly and it will cause much confusion.

[takeshiCovac]

1. A hardfork is an expansion of blockchain protocol rules. Where a softfork is a contraction of blockchain protocol rules.
2. You have a majority consensus of the nodes to allow for a rule change that allows for a larger block size.
3. You split the hashpower of the network until everyone adopts the new rules.

[mperlingeiro]

1. A hardfork is an update that makes previously invalid blocks valid. A softfork is an update that makes a previously valid block invalid.

2. Upgrade the blockchain technology specifically the consensus rules.

3. Reduce the security and risk getting an attack by hackers.

[stefansimonsson]

1. A softfork make previously valid blocks invalid due to a reduction in block size. A hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid due to an increase in block size.
2. you can change consensus
3. Hash power can be reduced and you split the community

[alp257]

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

• Soft forks mainly contracts the rule set (by making it more tighter) while Hard forks expands the current rule set f the consensus mechanism in validating a block.

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

• Makes the rule set clear for everyone to follow, avoiding any confusion or lack of validation.

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

• A hardfork splits the community, thus reducing the hash power provided in the network and reduces the security.

[JonPag]

1. A softfork is an update that will contract the current rule set. This will give a better non fork result, if you have more than 50% hash power no fork will occur. A hardfork is an update that will expand the current rule set. The problem with a hardfork is 100% of the network must be updated to prevent a fork to happen.

2. One major reason is to have a definitive update to all nodes. Another reason is to expand the rule set in place. You can also create a new currency with a hard fork.

3. A hard fork will most likely split the chain as it needs 100% of the network to be updated. As the fork happens this hinders security has half the hash power is with one chain and the other half with another chain.

[MuletownPatriot]

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork? A hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid, whereas a soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid.
2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork? To expand the rules or consensus, increase block size / speed, etc.
3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork? Not all nodes may get the update, decrease hash power which reduces security

[dnicng]

1. A softfork is a contraction where making previous valid blocks become invalid and hardfork are expansion making invalid blocks become valid.

2. A change of rules/consensus

3. it will lower the security, hash power split and create new currency

[BenF]

1. A hardfork creates an expansion of the rules where previously invalid blocks become valid.
   A soft fork is a contraction of the rules making previously valid blocks invalid.

2.to change the consensus a hardfork would be needed.

3.hashpower of the network would be split lowering the security of the networks.

[MRsakib]

1. The difference between soft fork and hard fork is that soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid whereas hard fork makes invalid blocks valid.

2. A change in consensus rule.

3. There is a risk while performing a hard fork. The risk is that the hash power splits into two chains which lowers the security.

[Brad_Burwash]

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
   A hardfork is where previously invalid blocks are accepted as valid, while a softfork is where previously valid blocks are no longer accepted as valid.

2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
   A hardfork will provide a clear update and it is democratic.

3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
   Some risk include splitting the block chain, splitting the community and reduced security.

[H_P]

1. Hard forks make invalid blocks valid. Hard forks can happens when a software upgrade isn’t compatible with older versions. where as Soft forks make valid blocks invalid. or soft forks are software upgrade that is backward compatible.

2. a Hard fork happens when there is a change to consensus rules
   reasons could vary from needing to upgrade for scalability, transaction time, changes in Block time, etc.

3. Risks involve confusion among the community and loss of money for investors, possibility of double spend, Increases complexity.

[Mathewvizc7]

1. A soft fork is considered a contraction of the blockchain by reaching a consensus that established a shrunk number of megabytes per block, while a hard fork increases the ratio or height of the blocks that can form the blockchain. The forks produce a contraction on the blockchain when is a soft fork (the block height decreases), and the expansion when is a hard fork (the previous invalid blocks could match when their height is increased by consensus).

2. It might be related to an upgrade of the protocol caused by a change of consensus in the community (holders and miners).

3. The split of the chain and the community that can lead to a disintegration of a token or coin by splitting the supply into two or more different coins.

[Mike_Russo]

1. A hard fork is an update that makes previous invalid blocks valid while a soft make previous valid blocks invalid. Both forks are triggered by a network update.

2. Usually to change the consensus of a network for reasons like performance, scalability, change in community.

3. Hash rates would be reduced as community would be split, reduction in security in the network.

[Wyse_Sousa]

1- a hardfork means expansion and invalid blocks become valid and need 100% of the nodes updated. Softfork is a retraction where valid nodes become invalid and only need 50% of the nodes updated.
2- if the consensus have to change ( change of rules, change of operating mode…)
3- Splitting the network and the hash power lowering the security

[Gene03]

1. Soft Forks make previously valid blocks invalid and Hard forks make previously invalid blocks valid. In the Soft fork, the chain continues the same and on the Hardfork the chain is split.
2. Because it’s a clear update to the chain that can anybody can join.
3. A hard fork will split the community of miners and thereby considerably reduce hash power and safety of the data integrity.

[AlfredHodiah]

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
   Answer:
   A soft fork is that which makes a previously valid block invalid while a hardfork is that which makes previously invalid blacks valid

2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
   Answer:
   Its keeps a uniform and harmonious community.
   Its keeps a uniform and harmonious chain.

3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
   Answer:
   Its split community
   Its split the chain.
   Its brings about the formation of new currency
   Its split the hash power.

[MoonBoy]

• What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
  Answer: A hardfork update = expansion of rules set for example the blocksize increases from 1MB to 2MB vs. a softfork update = contraction of rules set where the blocksize would decrease. Additionally as a result In a hardfork invalid blocks would become valid and in a softfork valid blocks would become invalid. Further for softfork only <50% of hashpower to for a fork
• What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
  Answer: For example their is a new consensus , huge improvement to the current protocol
• What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
  Answer: 2 x chains would operate simultaneously at the beginning weakening the security due the decrease in hashpower

[mrodiek]

What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
A hardfork results in previously invalid blocks becoming valid, softforks happen when previously valid blocks become invalid.

What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
Updates to the protocol, divergence of the community.

What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
When a hardfork occurs you run the risk of splitting the community, if an update comes to the network but not all of the nodes update their software, you end up with two different versions of the truth.

[Shadowstep2003]

1. Soft fork makes previously valid blocks invalid while hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid.

2. You would do a hard fork if the current ruleset was too limiting for some type of application you wanted to implement. For example, if there were certain previously rejected transaction types you wanted to see start to become approved on the blockchain you could hard fork to obtain the desired result.

3. With a hard fork it could potentially fracture the community as this would inherently alter the blockchain and affect the miners. The original vision or goal of the blockchain could potentially be greatly altered with a hard fork as well which could turn some people off to the idea.