A device that participates in a blockchain network, with roles varying from transaction validation to block creation.
A node is any device that participates in a blockchain network. Nodes maintain the blockchain's functionality and uphold its decentralized nature. They can be personal computers, servers, or even dedicated devices. Each node helps distribute the blockchain's data across the network, contributing to censorship resistance and decentralization.
"Your laptop can act as a node if it runs software like Bitcoin Core or Bitcoin Cash Node, connecting it directly to the respective network and allowing you to validate transactions independently."
A full node is a node that holds a complete copy of the blockchain and validates all transactions and blocks against the network's consensus rules. Full nodes contribute to the security and robustness of the network. They enforce the rules of the blockchain, preventing miners from changing the protocol or creating invalid blocks. Bitcoin Cash's larger block size typically requires more storage capacity for full nodes compared to Bitcoin, but enables more on-chain transactions.
"Running a full node allows you to independently verify transactions without needing to trust any third party. This is particularly valuable in networks like Bitcoin Cash where on-chain scaling allows for more transaction throughput while still maintaining the ability for individuals to run full nodes."
A mining node, which is always a full node, additionally participates in the creation of new blocks. When a mining node solves a cryptographic puzzle (proof-of-work), it broadcasts the solution (the new block) to the network. Mining nodes are crucial for transaction processing and network security. In Bitcoin Cash, mining difficulty adjusts more frequently than Bitcoin, helping to maintain consistent block times even with fluctuating hashpower.
"Mining nodes compete to solve complex mathematical problems. The first to solve it gets to add a new block to the blockchain and is rewarded with some cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Cash's mining algorithm ensures blocks are produced approximately every 10 minutes, allowing for reliable transaction confirmations."
A light node, or lightweight node, does not hold a complete copy of the blockchain. Instead, it downloads only the necessary data, making it suitable for devices with limited resources. However, light nodes rely more on other nodes for information. Light nodes use a technique called Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) to verify transactions without downloading the entire blockchain, which is particularly useful in mobile wallets.
"Mobile wallet apps often run as light nodes, as they don't require the device to store the entire blockchain. This is especially useful for cryptocurrencies with larger block sizes like Bitcoin Cash, as SPV allows users to securely transact without the storage requirements of a full node."
All terms and definitions may update as the Cryptionary improves.