On the Aptos blockchain, transactions are processed by validators and added to the blockchain. For this process to work correctly, all validators must reach the same result. If at least two-thirds (2/3) of validators agree on the result, the blockchain updates its state. This ensures that the system is secure and consistent.
What is Parallel Execution and Why is it Important?
Usually, transactions on a blockchain are processed one by one. While this is simple, it can become very slow when there are many transactions. To solve this, blockchains like Aptos use parallel execution, which allows multiple transactions to be processed at the same time.
However, this creates a new challenge:
- Conflict Issues: If two transactions try to access the same data (e.g., the same user account) at the same time, it can cause problems.
Block-STM: Aptos’ Solution
To handle these conflicts, Aptos uses a special system called Block-STM. This technology:
- Runs transactions in parallel, checking for conflicts as they happen.
- Automatically resolves any conflicts to ensure the correct order is maintained.
- Processes transactions quickly and consistently.
Why is Block-STM important?
- Faster Transactions: Aptos processes blocks in just 250 milliseconds.
- Developer-Friendly: Developers don’t need to plan for conflicts ahead of time.
- Efficient: Handles more transactions at the same time, improving blockchain performance.
Block-STM has been so effective that other blockchains like Polygon and Starknet have started using it.
Why Does This Matter?
Block-STM makes blockchains faster, more scalable, and easier to use. For users, this means quick transactions. For developers, it means fewer challenges when building applications. Aptos, with its Block-STM technology, is leading innovation in blockchain performance.