Homework on Soft and Hard Forks - Questions

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#4174
  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.
1 Like
#4175
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

A soft fork is where previously valid blocks are made invalid and a hard fork is where previously invalid blocks become valid.

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

If you want to split the chain and increase block size.

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

Potentially splits the community and creates a new currency. Also reduction of security.

1 Like
#4176

hardforks make previous invalid blocks valid and softforks make previous valid blocks invalid

a hardfork would be done if functionality and consensually a change was needed

the risks of a hard fork are security by splitting the chain and its hash power making it a less secure network

1 Like
#4177

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    A softfork makes previously valid blocks invalid (contraction) and a hardfork makes previously invalid blocks valid (expansion).

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    If updates to the consensus rules are necessary.

  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
    A hardfork splits the chain and the community, reducing the hash power and thus reducing the security of the network.

1 Like
#4178

  1. A hardfork is where a previously invalid block becomes valid. A softfork is where a previously valid block becomes invalid.

  2. for consensus rule changes.

  3. splitting the community and the chain making a new currency. also it could lower hash power.

1 Like
#4179
  1. They are essentially the opposite of each other. Hard forks make previous invalid blocks valid and soft forks make previous valid blocks invalid.
  2. A hardfork might be implemented when the block size needed is larger than the previous rule set.
  3. A risk of the hardfork update is that the network isn’t completely updated which creates 2 sets of truths. A portion of the network of nodes may be under the set of rules that only validate a 1mb block and another portion of the nodes may be updated to believe that 2mb blocks are valid. This would create a split hash power leading to a less secure network and a split chain.
1 Like
#4180

  1. The main difference between hardforks and softforks is that the former makes previously invalid transactions valid while softworks make previously valid transactions invalid.

  2. The hardfork is a more definitive update because it clearly shows which blockchain miners will stay on: the updated blockchain or the old one. It is in ways less passive aggressive than a softfork because it will make clear to any miners still working by the old rule set that they are not working on the most updated blockchain without necessarily forcing them to switch like a softfork would do.

  3. By performing a hardfork, there’s a good chance it will split the chain and the community because now there are two different rule sets that govern the blockchain, creating a rift between the updated and non-updated miners. This splits the hash power, making the network more susceptible to attacks.

1 Like
#4181

1 - A softfork is fork caused by an update to the blockchain that makes valid transactions invalid, it is contractionary and needs a majority to decide. It’s changes work within the current ruleset.

 A hardfork is fork caused by an update to the blockchain that makes invalid transactions valid, it is considered expansionary and needs 100% vote to decide.  A hardfork does not work within the current ruleset.

2 - To make changes that can be made within the current ruleset and needs a 100% consensus.

3 - You risk splitting the blockchain into different chains that have different rulesets. This would also split the hash power as well.

1 Like
#4182
  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?

A hard fork makes previously invalid blocks valid (expansive).
A soft for makes previously valid blocks invalid (restrictive)

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

It’s clear and it’s democratic.

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

A split in hash power would resultin a less secure network

2 Likes
#4183

  1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
    Hardfork is expansive therefore previously invalid blocks become valid
    Soft fork is contractive therefore previously valid blocks become invalid

  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
    A change in the consensus mechanism which could improve the blockchain network

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

  • Community is split
  • You need more than 50% of people agreeing on the update
  • Chain could end up splitting and that leads to lower security on the blockchain.
1 Like
#4184

  1. A soft fork makes valid transactions invalid whereas a hard fork makes invalid transactions valid.

  2. You might want to do a hard fork if there was a need to change the way the consensus operated.

  3. It is bad for security due to it reducing the hash power of the entire network.

1 Like
#4185

Q1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
A. In blockchain, a ‘fork’ is an update of the protocol or rule set that governs processing of blocks. A ‘hard’ fork makes previously invalid blocks valid under the update, expanding the protocol and causing a split in the blockchain, whereas a ‘soft’ fork makes previously valid blocks invalid, contracting the protocol and retaining the blockchain by forcing all nodes to eventually accept the new rule set.

Q2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
A. Although causing a definite split, a hardfork update is clear in the sense that the people involved know whether they are part of the old or new protocol, giving them a ‘democratic’ choice of blockchain. This can be preferable to a softfork, which can create confusion where blocks are able to be validated by nodes that might not understand the new protocol and which may not have chosen it into the first place.

Q3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
A. Hardforks split the blockchain, damaging the community built around it. The hash power is also reduced, impairing the security of the network. It also creates a new cryptocurrency, which could be beneficial, but carries its own questions of utility.

2 Likes
#4186

1 - Hard fork is divided and soft fork is not divided
2 - When the changes are out of ranges used in the actuality
3 - The community can be divided because can has a differents perspective :anguished:

1 Like
#4187
  1. Hard Forks make previously invalid blocks valid. Soft forks makes previously valid blocks invalid.
    2.to do an update on the protocol
    3.hash power split
1 Like
#4188

1. What is the difference between a softfork and a hardfork?
A soft fork is temporary as after some time the majority which will have the same version of the chain will propagate its version to to minority as they’ll choose the longest chain. By definition it’s when an update that makes some previously valid blocks invalid -> more restrictive -> concentrate, narrows done options (example : we lower the target to mine a block).
A hard fork is splits the chain in 2 and both versions will co-exist. It will also therefore split the hash power in between them as some nodes will prefer to mine one or the other new chain. By definition, it’s when an update makes some previously valid blocks valid -> less restrictive -> expands acceptable options.
2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hardfork?
When we want to update some core rules but cannot be mandatory. That would split the community in 2 depending on who accepts the update or not.
3. What are some of the risks with performing a hardfork?
It will split the community in 2, therefore it will also split the has power in 2, which means that it will reduce the security as the 51% required to hack it will become more atteignable.
A hard fork creates a new currency. We can potentially lose some funds if a currency is not recognized in one of the chain of the split for example.

1 Like
#4189
  1. Expansion(HF)/ Contraction(SF) of the rule set.
  2. They happen ehe the Nodes are updating at seperate times.
  3. Hash power split.
1 Like
#4190
  1. What is the difference between a soft fork and a hard fork? Hard fork updates make previously invalid rules/blocks valid (EXPANSION OF RULE SET). Soft Fork updates make previously valid rules/blocks invalid (CONTRACTION OF RULE SET)
  2. What are some of the reasons why you would do a hard fork? To increase the number of transactions in a block. To increase the size of a block from 1mB to 2mB
  3. What are some of the risks with performing a hard fork? Hash power splits which reduces security. Can split the community and you have a split chain.
1 Like
#4191
  1. A hardfork is an update that makes previous invalid blocks valid because of a chain split.
    and a softfork is an update that makes previously valid blocks invalid.
  2. A change in consensus was needed.
  3. The hash power is split and will reduce security
1 Like
#4192

The difference between a hard and soft fork is as follows: When an update makes previously invalid blocks valid, a hard fork is inevitably created. When an update makes previously valid blocks invalid, a soft fork is often created.

With a hard fork being the result of an expansion of rules, miners would have a better chance of putting their block on the blockchain due to more flexibility of what blocks can be put on. Additionally, new currencies can be created because of these updates, which brings more financial opportunities to the community. Lastly, if an update will bring a potential benefit to the community based on an individual or group’s perspective in general, that would also be another reason to create a hard fork.

Hard forks can cause hash power splits, which decreases the security of the blockchain. They can also cause splits in the community and the chain itself.

1 Like
#4193
  1. Soft forks is an update that makes previously valid blocks invalid and hard forks make previously invalid blocks valid.
  2. Hard fork is clear and democratic.
  3. it can Split the chain, the community and hash power split.
1 Like