Definition ∞ Cross-shard coordination refers to the ability of different segments of a sharded blockchain to communicate and exchange information securely. Sharding divides a blockchain into smaller, independent units to enhance scalability. Effective coordination ensures the overall integrity and consistency of the entire network. This capability is vital for complex decentralized applications requiring interaction across various parts of the ledger.
Context ∞ Cross-shard coordination is a primary technical challenge and area of active research within the development of scalable blockchain architectures. The current state involves various proposed solutions, each with tradeoffs concerning security and complexity. Future progress aims to achieve seamless and secure communication between shards to support a broader range of decentralized applications.