Side Chain: It's Differences With The Main Chain In The Blockchain Ecosystem

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Hello fam,

It is your favourite blogger @mato445 and I am happy to make this interesting post in this community today.

When last we discussed, we learnt on the similarities between the sidechain and the mainchain, and this can be confirmed from this link.

Today, we will be learning about the differences between the sidechain and the mainchain in the cryptoecosystem,
Please stay tuned.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIDECHAIN AND MAINCHAIN

In the world of blockchain technology, the main chain and sidechain are very important component that makes great contribution to the functionality and scalability of decentralized network.

For us to fully understand their differences, we need to understand some fundamental concept of the blockchain architecture.

The mainchain which is popularly known to be the primary blockchain, function as the foundational ledger of a particular decentralized platform or cryptocurrency.

It encapsulate the consensus mechanism and the core functionalities responsible for the validation and recording of transactions.

For bitcoin, it's main chain is the bitcoin blockchain, and the ethereum blockchain is the main chain for ethereum cryptocurrency.

The sidechains on the other hand are known to be auxiliary chains that function alongside the primary chain, thus allowing seamless transfer of data between them.

The main function of the sidechain is to address certain limitations of the mainchain, such as transaction speed, scalability and other important use-case requirement.

Explained below are some of the dis-advantages between

THEIR ROLE IN THE BLOCKCHAIN ECOSYSTEM

The role performed by mainchain and sidechain in the cryptoecosystem is one of the major difference between the blockchain architecture.

The main chain functions acts the primary ledger, thus maintaining the Immutability and integrity of the entire network.

It is being protected by a consensus mechanism such as the proof-of-stake, delegated proof of stake, proof of work etc, which ensures that there is an agreement amongst all node on the network, concerning the state of the blockchain.

Sidechain on the other hand are created to offer more specialization and flexibility.
Several consensus mechanism can be implemented by them, which is tailored towards specific use cases.

SCALABILITY

Another very important factor that differentiate the side chain from the main chain is what we know as scalability.

As the blockchain network experience considerable growth, scalability of the network becomes of major concern and the sidechain addresses this concerns very well.

When the transaction becomes much, the main chain helps to alleviate congestion by offloading some transaction to the sidechain.

And this helps to improve the overall network performance.

In other words, we can differentiate them thus.

• MAINCHAIN:

Scaling here is quite challenging due to the need of consensus mechanism such as proof of stake or proof of work, which work with significant computational resources.

• SIDECHAIN:

Here the sidechain brings about scalability solutions by offloading certain processes and transactions from the mainchain.

And this plays a huge role in eliminating congestion on the mainchain and improve the overall network integrity.

INTEROPERABILITY

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Another critical component that shows the difference between a sidechain and the main chain is interoperability.

While the mainchain performs it's role in the maintainance of the primary ledger, the sidechain helps in the facilitation and movement of assets between both chains.

And this interoperabilitily allows for a more versatile and interconnected blockchain ecosystem.

In other words, the two chains can be differentiated as thus

• MAINCHAIN:

Due to variation in protocol and consensus mechanism, interoperability amongst several blockchain or external system can be very complex.

• SIDECHAIN:

Sidechain on the other hand are created for the improvements of interoperabilitily by allowing for the transfer of data and funds seamlessly between the main chain and the sidechain.

This helps in the facilitation of specialized application without having to put the security of the mainchain in danger.

SECURITY

Another factor that plays an important role in differentiating the sidechain fromt the mainchain their security system.

The security of the mainchain is considered to be more Important since it safeguards the entire network.

Sidechain chain on the other hand, although benefitting from the security mechanism of the mainchain , may implement other security models that suites a specific use-case.

They can thus be differentiated as follows

• MAINCHAIN:

The security of the mainchain is of paramount importance, giving the fact that it functions as the backbone of the entire network.

A large network of validators or a robust consensus mechanism contribute greatly to it's security

• SIDECHAIN:

Sidechain benefits greatly from the security of the mainchain, and at that, it also employs several consensus mechanism.

The security of a side chain is closely packed to it's chosen consensus algorithm and it's level of decentralization.

SMART CONTRACTS

In their functionality of smart chain is another unique area where the difference between a sidechain and the main chain can be spotted.

The main chain is in full support of a broad range of smart contracts while the sidechain can be used only for specific types of contracts.

CONCLUSION

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The main chain can be described to be the backbone of the entire network while the sidechain works alongside it and benefit from it security.

The sidechain helps to ease the mainchain off transaction congestion.