Blockchain Trilemma-Steemit Crypto Academy-S5W2-HomeWork post For @nane15
Hello Everyone
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The term Blockchain Trilemma was a concept that was introduced by Vitalik Buterin. It simply means that developers of a blockchain has to choose one or at most two options out of the 3 options of Decentralization, Scalability, Security when developing a blockchain.
• Decentralization :
A blockchain technology where there is no central body issuing authorization, and yet large number of users can participate easily,and simultaneously without any glitch.
• Scalability:
A system where large number of users can participate easily, with a reduced transaction fee as well as experiencing no limit in the transaction process.
• Security:
A system that is free from fraud as well as hacking of the blockchain.
Let's consider this example to understand what Trilemma truly is.. If I want to build a software application that will have the option of Privacy, where I can have total control of my data usage, I can decide or select who I share my data with; an option of Cross-Service Integration, where the application can interact with different services such as location, social media services; and the option of Performance, where the application can perform smoothly without interruption. From the look of things, it will be very difficult to achieve all the three options listed above. I will have to select what I want, based on a scale of preference, the two most important options with which I will use in building my software application, which could be privacy and performance or performance and cross-service integration.
The issue of trilemma is a real world issue most persons are faced with when they have decisions to make, and its also an issue in technology. In the blockchain world, it is an issue that has lingered for so long and has made so many developers lose interest in the use of block chain technology. Though some developers have claimed that they have been able to incorporate all 3 problems of Decentralization, scalability and security,but such claims are still under review.
Layer 1
Layer 1 aims at improving the rate of scalability as well as ensuring that the network are secure. The various methods associated with layer 1 includes;
Sharding
Improvement in the consensus protocol
Layer 2
Nesting of Block chain: it is a network system that is decentralized, it involves the reduction in the work load of the main chain. To reduce the work load, a parent-child network connection is made,where some of the work are delegated or done by the child chains,which are later received by the parent chain on completion. With the use of the nesting block,a wide range of network parameter is set,with the use of the main chain,this will improve the speed at which transactions are processed, as well as security and decentralization. An example of the layer 2 is the OMG plasma project.
State channels: This has to do with building an off-chain network,that will help for easy communication between the block chain and off-chain network. This method does not need the help of miners for validation of transactions, it makes use of a smart contract mechanism which helps to validate transactions that are recorded in the underlying block chain. When there is a free flow of communication between the block chain and off-chain, the capacity and speed at which transactions are processed will be greatly improved.
SIDECHAINS: it is an adjacent chain of the main block chain which serves as a transactional chain that can be used to dissolve the issue of Trilemma. Side chains makes use of a consensus mechanism that is not dependent on the mainchain, as a result transactions on the side chain are public and any bug on the side chain does not really affect the main chain. With this, decentralization and issues of security will be greatly improved.