Linera: In Real Time

TL/DR

Linera is a new type of blockchain that's real-time and scalable thanks to its unique "microchains" design. This means it can handle a ton of transactions with very low latency, making it perfect for demanding Web3 apps. Plus, it has cool features like built-in interoperability and next-gen smart wallets.

Introduction

Linera’s blockchain infrastructure is designed to power the next generation of Web3 applications by tackling the limitations of traditional blockchains. Linera offers unparalleled performance, security, and responsiveness at an internet scale. Its innovative multi-chain architecture, centered around the concept of "microchains," allows for unprecedented scalability and efficiency. In this blog, we'll explore the key features and technical underpinnings that make Linera a game-changer in the blockchain space.

Understanding Linera

At Linera’s core, their blockchain infrastructure aims to enable the most demanding Web3 applications by providing them with the necessary tools to thrive, namely: Security, reliable performance and high responsiveness. 

Users interact directly with small chains of blocks, called microchains, allowing applications to read and write onchain data with the lowest latency and highest security possible. Linera applications can communicate seamlessly across different blockchains using asynchronous messages. Within a single microchain, they can interact directly and efficiently using synchronous calls. The network is secured by a robust proof-of-stake mechanism that ensures decentralization and community oversight.

Key Features Sections

Extremely Low Latency 

Linera processes transactions quickly and efficiently by organizing them into smaller groups. This allows for faster processing times. 

Unlimited Blockspace 

Linera can handle a large number of transactions at once by dividing the workload into smaller parts. This ensures that there are no limits to the number of transactions that can be processed. 

Next-Generation Smart Wallets

Linera wallets provide applications with instant access to verified data. This is achieved by replaying transactions and executing web queries locally, eliminating the need for slow network requests. 

First-Class Interoperability 

Linera supports seamless communication and data exchange between different blockchains and systems. This makes it ideal for building complex, multi-chain applications.

What Makes The Network Unique

Let’s talk about ‘Microchains’

With Microchains, users are able to engage with small chains of blocks. This is what is meant by ‘Microchains’. This allows the applications to read and write onchain data, at the lowest possible latency and the highest security possible as well.

To dive in further, Microchains are chains of blocks that describe the consecutive changes to a shared state. The terms chain and microchain are used interchangeably when we discuss Linera. In fact, Linera microchains are very similar to the familiar understanding of blockchain, that follow important specifications, namely:

Any number of microchains can exist simultaneously and coexist in the Linera network. They all share the same set of validators and an equal amount of security. To create a new microchain only takes a single transaction on an existing chain.

In order to propose a new block in a microchain, either by a validator or by an end user (i.e wallets), this depends on the set-up or configuration of a chain. To get more specific, microchains can have a single owner, they can be permissioned OR they can be public, depending entirely on who is authorized to propose blocks.

Technical Architecture Overview

Here, we’ll do a breakdown of the key components:

• Participants: The Linera network consists of users, validators and chain owners. Validators ensure the integrity of the system, while chain owners (which can be individuals, developers or even validators themselves) are responsible for proposing new blocks to their respective microchains.

• Security: Linera employs a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus mechanism with a delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) model. This ensures the system can operate securely even with some malicious actors present.

• Microchains: These are the fundamental building blocks of Linera. Each microchain has a unique identifier and can be categorized as single-owner, permissioned or public, depending on who has the authority to propose blocks.

• Cross-Chain Communication: Linera facilitates seamless communication between microchains through asynchronous cross-chain requests. This allows for complex interactions and data transfer between different parts of the application.

• Chain States: Each microchain maintains a consistent state (a deterministic function of its block history) and a localized state (which may vary between validators). This separation is crucial for maintaining order and consistency.

• Inboxes: Each chain has an "inbox" to receive messages from other chains. This inbox is implemented as a commutative data structure, ensuring that the order of message reception does not affect the final state.

• Block Execution: Blocks contain transactions that modify the state of a microchain. Linera supports various transaction types, including system operations (like creating or closing chains) and user-defined operations for application-specific logic.

• Client-Validator Interactions: Clients interact with validators to propose new blocks and synchronize chain data. Linera uses a variant of reliable broadcast for efficient block confirmation in single-owner chains.

• Extensions: The core protocol is further enhanced with features like permissioned chains, public chains, pub/sub channels for efficient communication, and a robust reconfiguration mechanism for validator set updates.

  
  

Relevant News updates for Linera

Linera Testnet Archimedes

On November 12th, Linera launched the first phase of their testnet. Marking a major milestone in decentralizing the infrastructure of The Real-Time Blockchain. At its core, Archimedes is a distributed version of Linera’s devnet—bringing online external validators that are key to the network’s decentralization. Features include a web wallet browser extension and token faucet which is on the horizon. Space and Time and Argument.xyz have also joined the Archimedes ecosystem, providing powerful ZK technologies—enabling real-time, trustless data querying and privacy-focused zero-knowledge proofs for secure, high-speed, multi-chain applications.

Conclusion

Linera's unique approach to blockchain architecture addresses the critical needs of Web3 applications, providing a scalable, efficient, and user-centric platform for developers and users alike. With its focus on low latency, unlimited blockspace, and seamless interoperability, Linera is poised to revolutionize the way we build and interact with decentralized applications. As the Linera ecosystem continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see a wave of innovative and disruptive applications emerge, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of Web3.