Definition ∞ Cross-Shard Overhead denotes the computational and communication costs incurred when a sharded blockchain network processes transactions that span multiple shards. This overhead arises from the necessity of coordinating data and validating operations across distinct segments of the chain. It can impact network latency and overall transaction throughput. Minimizing this overhead is a primary objective in sharding design.
Context ∞ News reports frequently highlight efforts by blockchain projects to reduce cross-shard overhead, as it directly influences network efficiency and scalability. High overhead can negate many benefits of sharding, leading to slower transaction finality and increased costs for users. Innovations in inter-shard communication protocols are continually seeking to address this technical hurdle.
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