Ethereum: Understanding the Terms “Difficulty” and “Target”
As a core concept of Ethereum’s consensus mechanism, difficulty and target are two closely related, yet distinct, concepts that play a key role in maintaining the integrity and security of the blockchain. In this article, we will explore what these terms mean and how they are related to each other.
What is Target?
In the context of Ethereum, “target” refers to the minimum block size required before a new block can be added to the blockchain. This value is typically determined by the Ethereum Foundation or a voting process among miners. The target block size determines the minimum computing power and network activity required to validate a new block as part of the Ethereum consensus algorithm.
What is difficulty?
Difficulty, on the other hand, refers to the rate at which it becomes more difficult for nodes (miners) to solve complex mathematical problems known as “mixed collisions.” Simply put, difficulty measures the computing power and energy required to create a new block on the blockchain. As the frequency of network collisions increases, it becomes increasingly difficult for miners to find a valid solution, resulting in a reduction in the number of blocks that can be mined in a given period of time.
Relationship between difficulty and target
Let’s now explore how the difficulty and target are related to each other:
- Target block size: The target block size is determined by the Ethereum Foundation or through a miner voting process. This value affects the minimum hash function required to create a new block.
- Difficulty calculation: The more nodes (miners) calculate the difficulty, the more they contribute to the overall calculation of the network’s hash rate. The more computing power available on the network, the smaller the target hash size will be.
- Reduced target hash size
: As miners race to solve complex mathematical problems, the chance of finding a valid solution increases, making it harder to add new blocks to the blockchain. This in turn reduces the target hash value required to create a block.
- Increased difficulty: Conversely, if the network hash collision rate decreases due to increased difficulty, the target hash size can also decrease.
To illustrate this relationship, consider the following example:
- Suppose 10 miners are competing for a new block and each must calculate a target hash value of 8 GB (a relatively low value). As more nodes participate, the network hash collision rate increases, making it more difficult for miners to find valid solutions. As a result, the target hash size decreases to 7.5 GB or slightly more.
- Conversely, if fewer miners are competing and each must calculate a target hash value of 4 GB, the network hash collision rate decreases, reducing the target hash value to 4 GB.
In short, difficulty and goal are interrelated concepts that affect the scalability, security, and overall usability of a blockchain. The decrease in the target hash value due to increased difficulty is a natural consequence of the increase in computing power available on the network. As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, understanding these basic concepts will help you navigate the complexities of this exciting technology.
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I hope this explanation helps clarify the relationship between “difficulty” and “goal” in Ethereum!