Linear Memory Bottleneck

Definition ∞ A linear memory bottleneck describes a performance limitation in a computational system where the speed of processing is constrained by the sequential access or limited bandwidth of its memory. This impediment occurs when data must be accessed in a strictly ordered fashion, hindering parallel operations. It restricts the overall throughput of a system.
Context ∞ In the context of blockchain technology and cryptographic proofs, linear memory bottlenecks can impact the efficiency of certain zero-knowledge proof constructions or smart contract execution environments. Researchers are actively developing new algorithms and hardware architectures to overcome these limitations, thereby improving the speed and scalability of verifiable computation. Addressing this bottleneck is vital for advanced cryptographic applications.