Clear DefinitionsBlock Height
1 min read
Pronunciation
[blok hahyt]
Analogy
Think of block height like the page number in a book. The first page (genesis block) is page 0, and each subsequent page (block) increases the page number by one. Just as you can locate specific content using a page number, you can locate specific transactions using block height.
Definition
The number of blocks connected in the blockchain before a specific block. It represents the position of a block in the blockchain measured from the genesis block (block height 0).
Key Points Intro
Block height serves as a chronological counter and identifier in the blockchain.
Key Points
Provides a sequential identifier for each block in the chain.
Indicates the chronological position of a block since the blockchain's creation.
Often used to reference specific points in a blockchain's history.
Used in fork resolution to determine the longer (typically valid) chain.
Example
Technical Deep Dive
Block height differs from block hash in that multiple blocks can temporarily exist at the same height during a fork (when the network hasn't reached consensus on which block is valid). In such cases, miners choose which chain to extend based on their consensus rules, typically the longest chain with valid blocks. Eventually, one fork becomes dominant and the other becomes an orphaned or stale block.
Caveat
While block height typically increases in a steady manner, the time between blocks can vary significantly depending on the blockchain's design and current network conditions, making it an imprecise measure of elapsed time.
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