Definition ∞ Subvector opening is a cryptographic operation associated with vector commitments. It allows a committer to reveal a specific subset of elements from a committed vector without disclosing the entire vector. This process includes providing a concise proof that the revealed elements are indeed part of the original committed data.
Context ∞ Subvector opening is a vital component in privacy-preserving blockchain applications and scalable verification schemes, particularly those leveraging zero-knowledge proofs. It enables efficient auditing or selective data sharing without compromising the privacy of other data within a larger commitment. This capability is crucial for building verifiable and confidential systems.