Boolean Circuits

Definition ∞ Boolean circuits are mathematical models of digital logic, comprising gates that perform logical operations on binary inputs. These circuits represent computations as a sequence of simple operations like AND, OR and NOT. They form the foundational computational primitive for all digital systems, including those underlying blockchain technology. In cryptography, they are crucial for expressing complex functions in a form suitable for privacy-preserving computations.
Context ∞ Within blockchain and zero-knowledge proof systems, Boolean circuits are central to constructing verifiable computations. Protocols like zk-SNARKs rely on converting computational statements into arithmetic circuits, which are a specialized form of Boolean circuit. Developments in optimizing these circuits directly influence the efficiency and scalability of privacy solutions in decentralized applications. This area of research is key to advancing confidential transactions and verifiable data processing.