Released: Hardfork 20 Testnet!

in hardfork20 •  6 years ago  (edited)

Testnet Live.jpg

Hello Steemians! In our previous post outlining the changes that would be coming to the Steem blockchain with Hardfork 20 we also shared that we’ll be releasing a Testnet which would “give developers the opportunity to test the upcoming changes in a non-production environment prior to launch.” We are happy to announce the release of that Testnet today!

Testnet is a big deal, not just for Hardfork 20, but for Steem generally. We are adding a major tool to the developer’s toolbox that will make it far easier for them to build and test their applications in a risk-free environment. Steemit will be using, breaking, and updating Testnet over time‒and especially over the course of the next couple of weeks‒so it will continue to get better and more useful over time. As we said in our second Dev Portal update, “We believe Steem’s unique properties can make it the blockchain of opportunity for developers, and we understand that the key to doing this is world-class developer resources.” Testnet is one big step toward delivering on that promise.

What is a Hardfork/TestNet?

For those who are confused about all of this hardfork and Testnet business, all you really need to know is that hardforks are a blockchain-specific term for software upgrades. As you probably know, blockchains are impossible to change by design. That’s why we call them immutable. The chain grows as new information is added to it in new blocks while the old information‒the information earlier in the the chain of blocks‒stays the same. This code has to be carefully designed because it protects all the tokens stored on the blockchain, all the social information Steemians choose to store on it, and it also governs the interactions between these two systems. This code has to be “bulletproof” so that as long as people are running Steem nodes, and as long as people are transacting on the blockchain, the chain will continue to grow in accordance with the rules embedded into the blockchain.

You can think of a hardfork as an update of the rules going forward. We can’t go back and change the rules that governed the creation of the chain in the past, but we can change the rules in a way that governs the future growth of the chain. This rule change is a little like taking a fork in the road. Some people running the blockchain may choose to continue using the old rules, isolating themselves in the process. Because this change requires a firm commitment going forward, whether one chooses the new or old rules, it is hard. And that’s how we get the term hardfork.

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A Benefit of DPoS

In many protocols, hardforks are a chaotic event that threatens the stability of the ecosystem. This is because protocols like Ethereum and Bitcoin enable any person with any motivation to become a node and, as long as any nodes prefer the old software over the new, the result is a splitting of the chain into two competing protocols. Examples of these can be found with Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, and Ethereum Classic.

With DPoS, while anyone can produce blocks, only the top 20 block producers, as determined by stake-weighted upvote, are canonical, which means they have to come to a consensus in order for new software to be be integrated into the blockchain. The Steem blockchain guarantees that if a supermajority of Witnesses begin running the new software, any transactions from Witness nodes that have not upgraded will be invalidated. This is a classic hardfork.

However, because a super-majority is required, and because the Witnesses are ultimately accountable to Steem’s stakeholders, the odds are maximized toward only positive changes being made, along with very little interest in creating sister-forks; chains that continue to being run based on the old rules. Note that, if you have an account, or if you have STEEM, you are a stakeholder.

Why a Testnet is Important

These new rules are extremely important and represent a new direction for the Steem blockchain. They are a change to the rules that have governed the production of blocks to this point and enabled us to come as far as we have. We as a community should not, and cannot, change these rules lightly. That being said, in order to improve and continue to outpace other protocols, we have to use the knowledge we’ve gained to make the protocol even better. At the same time, we must ensure the changes we make are safe. The goal is not to simply grow, but to grow strong. To support strong growth, we need to improve the efficiency of how the blockchain consumes resources and how it governs the creation of new accounts, which is what Hardfork 20 is all about.

Running a Testnet will allow us to find corner cases that are not normally presented on Mainnet (a term for the main Steem blockchain we all use). We will be able to attack the Testnet, push it to its limits (and beyond if possible) so that we can be sure Steem will continue to be safe. We have also created a tool to perform something called a Pitchfork of the new data on Mainnet to Testnet, which allows Testnet to act more like Mainnet. The result is that we get the best of both worlds.

Pitchforking

Performing a Pitchfork is like establishing a one way street from Mainnet to Testnet. The data that hundreds of thousands of people are putting on Mainnet when they use applications like Steemit.com, d.tube, dlive.io, steemmonsters.com, etc is read by our tool and pumped into the Testnet. A Pitchfork in this context is the process of copying data from the live blockchain to the test blockchain. This enables developers to make their tests more realistic. But, since data does not flow from the Testnet back to the Mainnet, it poses no threat to the blockchain we all use and love.

Why Pitchfork

One way to Pitchfork would be to simply import account balances. But the more data we copy from Mainnet to Testnet, the more Testnet will act like a real, active blockchain. With a Pitchfork, you can make it so that every vote that occurs on the Mainnet is mirrored on the Testnet, but nothing that happens on the Testnet makes its way back to the Mainnet.

In Conclusion

All of this is about guaranteeing that the changes coming in Hardfork 20 are safe. It will enable anyone who wants to secure the future of Steem to launch every kind of attack they can think of at this new code. This way, we can be sure that it will be able to survive and thrive once it goes into production.

If you want to help ensure the safety and security of the Steem blockchain head on over to our more technical post which that will include connection information.

Steem on!

Steemit Team

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This is so exciting! I always wish I had some developer knowledge to contribute but I suppose knowing about the so-called "pitchfork" makes me feel like every interaction on the blockchain is a contribution, no matter how small. I really can't wait to see what the future will bring to this amazing community, however flawed. Keep up the great work Team Steemit!

It's wonderful to have frequent updates, and they have been relatively easy to understand for laypeople recently. For me it's really fascinating to try to comprehend how utterly complex an undertaking that building Steemit is. When trying to create something wholly unprecedented where there are few established examples to draw from, it makes sense that it could take quite a long time.

One thing that struck me in this post is the team's commitment to safety. It feels great knowing how much goes into testing updates in the protocol. I see the system of DPoS often criticized, but it seems to work much better for coming to consensuses than traditional POW coins. I continue to be optimistic in spite of the insane difficulties presented by the ambitious undertaking to reward individual's unique contributions.

HardFork 20 is Hardcore!! :-)
Selenia Sky_gold (600px, 25fps).gif

@steemitblog,
Not only Testnet, I could get a clear idea about "What is Hardfork?" through this article! Actually today I understood the value of DPOS than ever!
Great work guys, with all these updates I think STEEM might hit top 10 at CMC soon! Keep it up!

Cheers~

  ·  6 years ago (edited)

I need to bitch and moan about the lack of communication from STINC ,it's a great stress reliever after my stressful day job , can you please stop with this regular update ish ?

This is seriously affecting my mental health.

Hahahaaaaa

reminds himself- everyone is laughing with me and not at me

Awesome,

And it looks to be coming along according to schedule. This should introduce new confidence in all fellow steemians that HF20 / Hivemind / SMTs will be released according to schedule.

Nice work guys.

For those who are confused about all of this hardfork and Testnet business, all you really need to know is that hardforks are a blockchain-specific term for software upgrades. As you probably know, blockchains are impossible to change by design.

That simplifies it. @SteemitBlog

With a Pitchfork, you can make it so that every vote that occurs on the Mainnet is mirrored on the Testnet, but nothing that happens on the Testnet makes its way back to the Mainnet.

That's great @SteemitBlog

Is there any HF20 for dummies article that you would suggest?

It's great to see this progress. We've had to be very patient waiting for HF20, but it's vital to get it as good as possible. Steem needs to move forward and I hope this will help it grow.

One step at a time
Pitchfork is a great way to push steem to its limits
Looking forward to all upcoming news releases and for 2019 to bring SMT's to life.... I am going to power up all upvotes and start investing bi weekly if I get some whales to follow me and vote

Excellent!!! Resteemed!

Thanks for a clear and easy to follow article! Good to see we're on schedule and that the new rules will be severely tested before going live for real. Here's to a smooth release early next year!
Cheers! :-)

Pitchforks... I can see a Lot of that appearing when hf20 is live...

Awesome, the concepts were explained really simply. Thank you.

Thank you for explaining the terms in an easily understood manner, particularly the background for the term hard fork. I see your intention to explain these blockchain specific terms to those who are new to it, including me.

This are exciting news :)

Yep yep.... this is turning Pro! :)

there is no stopping the community :D

Totally logical, cause develop and test almost in the same environment is a must for any Dev as I see... I see a great move with the Pitchforking and by the way also has a nice too... Cheers for this!

Good tests, good roadmap, great job! Keep it up, peeps

I honestly believe the STEEM blockchain will bring blockchain to the masses, keep on HODLing people :)

When will Steemit be Fun again?

I read every bit with great attention and love to learn pitchforking. :)

I believe on the grow of Steemit.

Progress in advance!!! This is great @steemitblog

I resteemed and sent those concerned with steemit on the twitter platform.

Posted using Partiko Android

Good to see that steemit managers are now interacting on their best level with the users and potential customers. People are discovering more and more about this social platform. Hf20 and SMT will fuel this platform for another long run. I hope that everything will go smoothly, best wishes to all of us! Steem on!

You've made the Steemit Minute for today! Congrats!

Check out the Video Here: https://steemit.com/news/@reseller/pu3f071n

We would love to see it in the mainnet as soon as possible.

Posted using Partiko Android

This post is featured on my daily news show (in Chinese :D) today.


w00t!

thanks you

  ·  6 years ago Reveal Comment

@transisto remove flag !
unvote your downvote !!!!!

  ·  6 years ago Reveal Comment

We can read your texts

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  ·  6 years ago Reveal Comment

Sorry sir, please remove flag

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