Clear DefinitionsEpoch
1 min read
Pronunciation
[ee-pok or ep-uhk]
Analogy
Think of an epoch in a blockchain like a 'term' or a 'season' in a sports league. During one season, the rules are fixed, teams compete, and points are scored. At the end of the season, standings are finalized, awards might be given, and sometimes rules for the next season are decided or new teams join. Similarly, an epoch groups a series of blocks for specific network operations or calculations.
Definition
In blockchain contexts, an epoch refers to a defined period of time or a specific number of blocks, during which certain network parameters or activities remain constant or are measured. At the end of an epoch, changes might occur, such as validator set rotations, reward calculations, or difficulty adjustments.
Key Points Intro
Epochs provide a structured timeframe for various blockchain operations and state transitions.
Key Points
A defined period, measured either in a number of blocks or a specific duration of time.
Used to manage network events like validator selection, reward distribution, or protocol parameter updates.
Helps synchronize network participants and manage complex processes in a phased manner.
The length of an epoch varies significantly between different blockchains.
Example
In Ethereum's Proof-of-Stake consensus (Casper FFG), an epoch consists of 32 slots (each slot being 12 seconds), so an epoch is 6.4 minutes. At the end of each epoch, validator attestations are processed, and finality is determined for checkpoints. Cardano also uses epochs for processes like stake distribution and slot leader selection.
Technical Deep Dive
Epochs are crucial for managing the lifecycle of validators in Proof-of-Stake systems. They allow for orderly transitions in the active validator set, calculation and distribution of staking rewards, and assessment of validator performance (e.g., uptime, correct attestation). In some systems, significant protocol upgrades or parameter changes are scheduled to activate at specific epoch boundaries.
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