Definition ∞ Near quadratic complexity describes a computational operation where the required resources, such as time or memory, grow almost proportionally to the square of the input size. While not strictly quadratic, it signifies a significant increase in resource consumption as the input expands. This level of complexity can present scalability challenges for large datasets or extensive network operations. It indicates a demanding computational burden.
Context ∞ In blockchain technology, near quadratic complexity can affect the scalability and efficiency of certain protocols. Discussions in technical news often concern the computational demands of consensus mechanisms or data processing on decentralized networks. Developers seek innovative solutions to reduce this complexity, aiming for more efficient and scalable distributed systems.