Definition ∞ Sublinear growth describes a rate of increase where the output grows slower than the input, or at a rate less than proportional to the input. In the context of network or data systems, this describes a scenario where resource consumption, such as storage or computational power, increases at a slower pace than the number of users or transactions. It indicates improved efficiency or scalability as the system scales. This growth pattern is highly desirable for sustainable system expansion and long-term viability.
Context ∞ Achieving sublinear growth in resource consumption is a critical design goal for scalable blockchain networks and decentralized applications, addressing the challenges of data storage and processing as usage expands. Research efforts are focused on data compression techniques, sharding, and more efficient cryptographic proofs to maintain network viability and cost-effectiveness. News often reports on protocol upgrades aiming for such efficiency gains to support larger user bases.
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