What is Parallelization and How Does It Work?
What is Parallelization and How Does It Work
In the blockchain field, parallelization is a method for processing multiple transactions simultaneously.
There are various types of parallelization such as transaction-level parallelization, block-level parallelization, and smart contract parallelization.
Some benefits of parallelization include faster transaction processing, improved scalability, and reduced gas costs.
Efficient transaction processing is the key to improving the efficiency of blockchain networks and solving the blockchain scalability problem. In this article, we'll explore the basics of parallelization, how it works, some common types, and potential benefits.
What is Parallelization?
Parallelization (Parallel Process Execution) is a method of processing multiple tasks simultaneously. Parallelization is closely related to parallel computing, a concept in computer science that refers to the simultaneous execution of multiple processes.
Parallelization organizes network data so that multiple transactions can be verified simultaneously, rather than processing them sequentially (one by one). The task of executing transactions is distributed across several nodes. Each node processes different segments of the processing load, facilitating faster processing times and reducing network congestion.
In parallel processing, the network simultaneously examines a large number of possible states, each of which represents the results of validating a particular set of transactions. This allows the network to evaluate the potential impact of transactions before they are officially recorded on the ledger. Following this evaluation, nodes agree on a common state that reflects the collective result of these parallel verifications.
parallelization models,
There are two main types of blockchain parallelization: optimistic parallelization and state access parallelization.
1. Optimistic Parallelization.
In the optimistic parallel execution model, the network skips the initial sorting stage and directly processes transactions simultaneously. This approach assumes that most transactions in the queue are independent and uses a method to revisit and correct transactions that are found to be interdependent after execution. This means that if transactions are initially thought to be unrelated but are later found to influence each other, the system will adjust them to ensure all data remains accurate.
2. State Access Parallelization.
The state-access parallel execution model processes transactions according to their impact on the state of the network, for example, specific smart contracts or accounts. This helps identify transactions that can be processed in parallel without conflict. Transactions that do not interact with each other are executed simultaneously. Conversely, transactions affecting similar status items are processed in a specific order based on prioritization of gas fees.
Different Types of Parallelization,
Process level parallelization
Process-level parallelization allows multiple processes to be processed simultaneously. This increases the throughput of the network and enables more transactions per second (TPS). It also reduces the time required for transaction confirmations and increases the overall responsiveness of the network. This type of parallelization is particularly valuable for high-demand blockchains where maintaining fast transaction times is important.
There are also some challenges with process-level parallelization. For example, concurrent processing of transactions can create data dependencies where the output of one transaction can affect another, requiring complex data management strategies to ensure consistency and reliability.
Block level parallelization,
Block-level parallelization, the concurrent creation of blocks, aims to improve network scalability. By processing multiple blocks simultaneously, this approach helps the blockchain process more transactions and avoid potential network congestion.
However, block-level parallelization requires careful implementation to avoid compromising the security of the blockchain. Additionally, block-level parallelization requires more computational resources, which increases the hardware requirements for network nodes. This could potentially limit some users' ability to participate in the network and negatively impact its decentralization and accessibility.
Smart contract parallelization,
Smart contract parallelization refers to the parallel execution of multiple smart contracts. This can improve the performance of decentralized applications (DApps), increasing their scalability and responsiveness.
Various mechanisms facilitate parallel execution of smart contracts. For example, optimistic presentations execute transactions off-chain and only interact with the blockchain to complete them, reducing the load on the main chain. Ethereum's Validium scaling solution with zero-knowledge proof off-chain computing providing both scalability and privacy for smart contract applications.
Benefits of Parallelization,
High transaction processing speed
Distributing tasks across multiple nodes reduces transaction execution times, which increases transaction processing speed. Networks that use parallelization tend to be more efficient than those that operate on sequential processing models.
Scalability
Parallelization addresses the blockchain scalability issue by spreading transaction verification across different nodes. This speeds up the process and supports horizontal scaling. Horizontal scaling allows the network to add or remove nodes based on demand fluctuations.
Reduced gas costs
Parallelization reduces fees by allocating transactions to subsets of nodes. This is less costly compared to sequential processing, where each transaction is verified by each node. Additionally, faster transaction speeds reduce competition between nodes, further lowering transaction fees.
Shutting Down Thoughts
Parallelization is a method of processing multiple transactions simultaneously. It offers many benefits such as faster transaction processing speeds, improved scalability, and discounted fees. In the future, parallelization can be combined with other scaling solutions such as sharding to achieve even greater scalability in blockchain networks.
