The software layer comprises the programs, protocols, and applications that operate on top of a blockchain’s underlying hardware infrastructure. This includes the blockchain protocol itself, smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and client interfaces that allow users to interact with the network. It dictates how data is processed, transactions are validated, and network rules are enforced. The functionality and security of digital assets depend heavily on this layer.
Context
Developments within the software layer are a constant source of news in the cryptocurrency world, with updates to protocols, new dApp launches, and improvements in smart contract security being regularly reported. Discussions often revolve around scalability solutions, interoperability advancements, and programming language innovations that enhance the capabilities of blockchain networks. Security vulnerabilities discovered in the software layer can have significant market impacts, highlighting its critical importance.
A stratified, eight-layer methodology and a Minimum Decentralization Test now formally measure and unify the contested semantics of blockchain decentralization.
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