Sub-Quadratic Protocol

Definition ∞ A sub-quadratic protocol refers to a distributed consensus algorithm whose computational or communication complexity increases slower than a quadratic function relative to the number of participating nodes. This mathematical characteristic is highly advantageous for scalability, as it means the system can manage a greater number of participants more efficiently. Protocols with sub-quadratic complexity strive to minimize resource consumption as the network expands. They offer improved performance attributes.
Context ∞ The development of sub-quadratic protocols is a significant area of academic and practical research in blockchain scalability, frequently appearing in news about advanced consensus mechanisms. Such protocols are considered essential for attaining high transaction throughput in large, decentralized networks. The ongoing challenge involves designing these efficient protocols while preserving robust security and decentralization properties.