Light Node
A light node is a type of node in a blockchain network that does not store the entire blockchain history. Instead, it only stores the most recent blocks and transactions. This allows the node to be lightweight and more efficient than a full node, which stores the entire blockchain history. Light nodes are used by miners, exchanges, and other users who need to access the blockchain but don’t need to store the entire history.
History of Light Nodes
Light nodes were first introduced in the Bitcoin network in 2013. The idea was to create a lightweight version of the full node that could be used by miners and exchanges. Since then, light nodes have become increasingly popular as more and more users need access to the blockchain but don’t need to store the entire history. Light nodes are now used in many different blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dash.
Comparison of Light Nodes and Full Nodes
| Light Node | Full Node |
|---|---|
| Stores only recent blocks and transactions | Stores entire blockchain history |
| Lightweight and efficient | Heavy and slow |
| Used by miners, exchanges, and other users | Used by developers and full node operators |
Summary
Light nodes are a type of node in a blockchain network that stores only the most recent blocks and transactions. This allows the node to be lightweight and more efficient than a full node, which stores the entire blockchain history. Light nodes are used by miners, exchanges, and other users who need access to the blockchain but don’t need to store the entire history. For more information about light nodes, you can visit websites such as Blockchain.com and CoinDesk.
See Also
- Full Node
- Mining
- Blockchain
- Cryptocurrency
- Proof of Work
- Proof of Stake
- Consensus Algorithm
- Smart Contracts
- Decentralized Applications
- Distributed Ledger Technology
