Describe the process of transaction verification in blockchain.
Transaction verification in a blockchain involves a series of complex steps to ensure the validity and integrity of each transaction. Here's a detailed technical explanation of the process:
- Transaction Propagation: When a user initiates a transaction, it is broadcasted to the network of nodes in the blockchain. This propagation ensures that all nodes are aware of the new transaction.
- MemPool Entry: Upon receiving the transaction, each node adds it to its memory pool (MemPool). The MemPool is a temporary storage area where pending transactions wait to be included in a block.
- Validation Check: Before a transaction can be included in a block, it undergoes a series of validation checks to ensure its validity. These checks typically include:
- Syntax and Format: The transaction must adhere to the predefined syntax and format specified by the blockchain protocol.
- Double Spending: The transaction is checked to ensure that the sender hasn't already spent the same funds in a previous transaction.
- Signature Verification: The sender's digital signature is verified using their public key to confirm their identity and authorization for the transaction.
- Sufficient Funds: There must be enough funds in the sender's account to cover the transaction amount.
- Transaction Fees: The transaction may include a fee, and the fee must meet the minimum requirement set by the network to incentivize miners to include the transaction in a block.
- Propagation of Valid Transactions: Valid transactions are propagated further across the network, ensuring that all nodes have a consistent view of the pending transactions.
- Mining and Block Formation: Miners, specialized nodes in the network, collect valid transactions from the MemPool and group them into a candidate block. They then compete to solve a cryptographic puzzle (Proof of Work in many blockchain implementations) that requires significant computational effort.
- Block Propagation: Once a miner successfully solves the puzzle, they broadcast the newly mined block to the network. Other nodes verify the validity of the block, including its transactions, before accepting it.
- Consensus Mechanism: The blockchain network reaches a consensus on the validity of the newly mined block through the consensus mechanism (e.g., Proof of Work, Proof of Stake). Consensus ensures that all nodes agree on the order of transactions and the state of the ledger.
- Blockchain Update: If the majority of the nodes reach consensus on the validity of the block, it is added to the blockchain, and the transactions it contains are considered confirmed. The blockchain is then updated, and the transactions are removed from the MemPool.
- Confirmation: As more blocks are added to the blockchain, the transaction becomes more secure and confirmed. Depending on the blockchain protocol, transactions may require multiple confirmations (blocks added after the block containing the transaction) to be considered fully validated and irreversible.
- Finality: Once a transaction is confirmed by a sufficient number of blocks and reaches a certain depth in the blockchain, it is considered final and immutable, meaning it cannot be reversed or altered without consensus from the majority of the network.