Scalable Computing

Definition ∞ Scalable Computing describes the capacity of a computational system to handle an increasing amount of work or users without a degradation in performance. In the context of blockchains and digital assets, this refers to the ability of a network to process a growing volume of transactions and smart contract executions efficiently. Achieving scalability is crucial for widespread adoption and the viability of decentralized applications.
Context ∞ The pursuit of Scalable Computing solutions is a persistent theme in blockchain development, with ongoing research into layer-two scaling solutions, sharding, and alternative consensus mechanisms. News frequently covers protocol upgrades designed to increase transaction throughput and reduce confirmation times, thereby enhancing user experience and reducing costs. The ongoing debate focuses on the trade-offs between scalability, decentralization, and security, and which approaches offer the most promising path forward.