Definition ∞ Quasi-linear proving describes a characteristic of cryptographic proof systems where the time required to generate a proof scales approximately linearly with the size of the computation being proven. This efficiency metric is highly desirable for practical applications of zero-knowledge proofs, as it minimizes the computational burden on the prover. It represents a significant advancement in proof system design.
Context ∞ The achievement of quasi-linear proving efficiency is a major goal in the ongoing development of advanced zero-knowledge proof protocols, such as SNARKs and STARKs. Researchers continually refine algorithms to reduce proving time, making these powerful cryptographic tools more viable for real-world blockchain scaling and privacy solutions. This optimization is crucial for widespread adoption of verifiable computation.