Definition ∞ Polynomial delegation is a cryptographic technique that allows a computationally constrained party to delegate the evaluation of a polynomial to a powerful server. The server performs the computation and returns a result along with a proof of its correctness. The client can then verify this proof much more efficiently than performing the original computation. This method ensures the integrity of delegated computations without requiring the client to trust the server.
Context ∞ The discussion around polynomial delegation often centers on its utility for enabling verifiable computation in resource-limited environments, such as mobile devices or blockchain light clients. A key debate involves optimizing the proof size and verification time to make these systems practical for widespread adoption. Critical future developments will focus on extending this technique to more complex functions beyond simple polynomial evaluation. This method holds significant promise for scalable and secure off-chain computation.