What is a hard fork? Learn hard fork in one minute

Hard forks, significant blockchain protocol alterations that necessitate a complete system upgrade, divide the blockchain into distinct chains.

Oct 23, 2024 at 02:36 am

What is a Hard Fork?

A hard fork is a change to a blockchain's protocol that is not backward compatible. This means that once a hard fork is implemented, the old version of the blockchain is no longer valid.

Hard forks are typically used to make major changes to a blockchain, such as adding new features or changing the way that the blockchain operates. They can also be used to fix bugs or security vulnerabilities.

How Does a Hard Fork Work?

When a hard fork is implemented, the blockchain is split into two separate chains. The old chain continues to operate according to the old rules, while the new chain operates according to the new rules.

Miners and users can choose which chain they want to follow. If a majority of miners and users follow the new chain, it will become the dominant chain and the old chain will eventually die out.

Why Are Hard Forks Controversial?

Hard forks can be controversial because they can be disruptive to the blockchain ecosystem. If a hard fork is not implemented carefully, it can lead to confusion, lost funds, and even scams.

Examples of Hard Forks

Some of the most famous hard forks in history include:

• Bitcoin Cash (BCH): In 2017, Bitcoin Cash was created as a hard fork of Bitcoin. Bitcoin Cash increased the block size limit, which allowed for more transactions to be processed on the blockchain.
• Ethereum (ETH): In 2016, Ethereum underwent a hard fork to fix a security vulnerability. The hard fork also introduced a number of new features to Ethereum, such as smart contracts.
• Cardano (ADA): In 2021, Cardano underwent a hard fork to implement the Alonzo upgrade. The Alonzo upgrade added smart contract functionality to Cardano.

Conclusion

Hard forks are a powerful tool that can be used to make major changes to a blockchain. However, they can also be disruptive and controversial. It is important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of a hard fork before implementing it.