Definition ∞ A computation trace is a sequential record of all intermediate states and operations executed during a digital computation. In cryptographic systems, particularly zero-knowledge proofs, this trace documents every step taken by a program or algorithm. It provides the verifiable evidence required to demonstrate correct execution without revealing the actual input data. This record is fundamental for proving the integrity of complex operations.
Context ∞ The concept of a computation trace is central to advancements in privacy-preserving technologies and scalability solutions for blockchains. Zero-knowledge proof systems, like zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs, rely on efficiently generating and verifying these traces to confirm transaction validity off-chain. Ongoing research focuses on reducing the size and generation time of computation traces to enhance the practical applicability of these advanced cryptographic techniques.
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