Definition ∞ Outsourced computation involves delegating computational tasks to an external service provider or a distributed network, rather than performing them locally. This approach is often adopted to leverage specialized hardware, reduce operational costs, or access greater processing power. In a trustless environment, mechanisms like integrity proofs are necessary to verify the correctness of the computation performed by the external party. It permits resource optimization for complex calculations.
Context ∞ Outsourced computation is a fundamental concept in blockchain scaling solutions and decentralized applications, where complex calculations might be performed off-chain to reduce network congestion and costs. Zero-knowledge proofs and verifiable computation protocols are critical for ensuring the integrity of these outsourced tasks without relying on trust. The efficiency and security of off-chain computation mechanisms are central to the scalability debate in digital asset systems.
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