Definition ∞ Polynomial overhead describes a computational cost or resource consumption that scales polynomially with the size of the input data or problem. In algorithmic analysis, this indicates a manageable increase in resources as the scale of operations grows. While more efficient than exponential growth, it can still represent a significant resource burden for very large datasets. Optimizing algorithms often aims to reduce this scaling factor.
Context ∞ In blockchain and cryptographic systems, polynomial overhead is a key consideration for scalability and efficiency, particularly in zero-knowledge proofs or complex smart contract executions. News might discuss protocol upgrades that reduce the polynomial overhead of certain operations, leading to faster transaction processing or lower fees. Managing this overhead is vital for achieving broad adoption and practical utility of decentralized technologies.
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