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Ethereum: Understanding the Concepts of “Difficulty” and “Goal”

As a fundamental concept in the Ethereum consensus mechanism, difficulty and goal are two closely related but distinct terms that play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and security of the blockchain. In this article, we will delve deeper into the meaning of these terms and how they relate to each other.

What is goal?

In the context of Ethereum, “goal” refers to the minimum block size required for a new block to be added to the blockchain. This value is typically set by the Ethereum Foundation or through a voting process among miners. The goal block size determines the minimum amount of computing power and network activity required to validate a new block as part of the Ethereum consensus algorithm.

What is difficulty?

Difficulty, on the other hand, refers to the rate at which it becomes more difficult for nodes (miners) to solve complex mathematical problems known as “hash collisions.” In simpler terms, difficulty measures the computational power and energy required to create a new block in the blockchain. As the network’s hash collision rate increases, it becomes more difficult for miners to find a valid solution, which leads to a decrease in the number of blocks that can be mined in a given amount of time.

Relationship between difficulty and goal

Now, let’s explore how difficulty and goal are interconnected:

• Target block size: The target block size is set by the Ethereum Foundation or through a voting process among miners. This value affects the minimum hash required to create a new block.

• Difficulty calculation: As more nodes (miners) calculate their difficulty, they contribute to the overall calculation of the network’s hash collision rate. The more computational power available in the network, the smaller the target hash size will be.

• Reduced target hash size

  

  : As miners compete to solve complex mathematical problems, the probability of finding a valid solution increases, making it harder to add new blocks to the blockchain. This, in turn, reduces the target hash size required to create a block.

• Increased difficulty: Conversely, if the network’s hash collision rate decreases due to increased difficulty, the target hash size may also decrease.

To illustrate this relationship, consider the following example:

• Suppose there are 10 miners competing for a new block, and each miners must calculate their target hash size as 8 GB (a relatively low value). With more nodes participating, the network’s hash collision rate increases, making it harder for miners to find valid solutions. As a result, the target hash size decreases, becoming 7.5 GB or slightly higher.

• Conversely, if there are fewer competing miners and each has to compute the target hash size as 4GB, the network’s hash collision rate decreases, resulting in a smaller target hash size of 4GB.

In summary, difficulty and target are related concepts that affect the scalability, security, and overall usability of the blockchain. The decrease in target hash size due to an increase in difficulty is a natural consequence of the increasing computational power available on the network. As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, understanding these fundamental concepts will help you navigate the intricacies of this fascinating technology.

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I hope this explanation helps clarify the relationship between “difficulty” and “target” in Ethereum!