Key Points

  • In the blockchain field, parallelization is a method of processing multiple transactions at the same time.

  • There are many types of parallel execution, including transaction-level parallel execution, block-level parallel execution, and smart contract parallel execution.

  • Some of the benefits of parallel execution include faster transaction processing, improved scalability, and reduced gas costs.

Introduce

Efficient transaction processing is key to improving the throughput of blockchain networks and solving the blockchain scalability problem. In this article, we will learn the basics of parallel execution, how it works, common types of parallel execution, and their potential benefits.

What is parallel execution?

Parallel execution (parallel execution) is a method of processing multiple tasks at the same time. Parallel execution is closely related to parallel computing, a concept in computer science that refers to the simultaneous execution of multiple processes.

How does parallel execution technology work?

Parallel execution technology organizes network data in a way that allows multiple transactions to be validated simultaneously, instead of being processed sequentially (one transaction at a time). The task of executing transactions is distributed across multiple nodes. Each node processes different segments of the transaction, which shortens processing times and reduces network congestion.

When processing transactions in parallel, the network examines multiple states simultaneously. Each state represents the consequences of validating a particular set of transactions. This allows the network to evaluate the potential impact of a transaction before it is officially recorded on the ledger. After evaluation, the nodes agree on a common state that reflects the combined results of these parallel validators.

Parallel execution model

There are two main types of parallel execution models used for blockchains: optimistic parallelization and state-access parallelization.

1. Optimistic Parallel Execution. In the optimistic parallel execution model, the network skips the initial ordering phase and processes the transactions directly concurrently. This approach assumes that most of the transactions in the queue are independent and uses a method to review and correct any transactions that are found to be dependent on each other after execution. This means that if transactions that were initially thought to be unrelated are later found to be influencing each other, the system adjusts to ensure that all data remains correct.

2. Stateful Parallel Execution. Stateful parallel execution begins by classifying transactions according to their impact on the state of the network, such as interactions with smart contracts or specific accounts. This helps identify transactions that can be processed in parallel without causing conflicts. Transactions that do not interact with each other are executed concurrently. Conversely, transactions that affect the same state elements are processed in a certain order, with priority based on gas fees.

Types of parallel execution

Transaction-level parallel execution

Transaction-level parallel execution allows multiple transactions to be processed concurrently. This increases the throughput of the network, allowing for higher transactions per second (TPS). This reduces the time required to confirm transactions, improving the overall responsiveness of the network. This type of parallel execution is especially valuable for high-demand blockchains that need to maintain fast processing times.

However, transaction-level parallelism also faces some challenges. For example, processing concurrent transactions can create data dependencies, where the output of one transaction can affect another, requiring complex data management strategies to ensure consistency and reliability.

Block-level parallel execution

Block-level parallel execution involves creating and validating multiple blocks simultaneously, improving the scalability of the network. By processing multiple blocks at once, this approach allows the blockchain to process more transactions and prevent network congestion.

However, block-level parallel execution requires careful implementation to avoid compromising the security of the blockchain. Furthermore, block-level parallel execution requires more computational resources, increasing the hardware requirements for network nodes. This may limit the ability of some users to participate in the network, negatively affecting the decentralization and accessibility of the network.

Parallel execution by smart contracts

Smart contract parallel execution is the parallel execution of multiple smart contracts. This can improve the performance of decentralized applications (DApp), enhancing the scalability and responsiveness of the DApp.

Several mechanisms support parallel execution of smart contracts. For example, Optimistic rollups execute transactions off-chain and only interact with the blockchain to complete the transaction, thereby reducing the load on the main chain. Ethereum's Validium scaling solution combines Zero-Knowledge Proofs with off-chain computation, providing both scalability and privacy for smart contract applications.

Benefits of Parallelization

High transaction processing speed

Distributing tasks across multiple nodes reduces transaction execution time, thereby speeding up transaction processing. Networks that use parallel execution technology are often more efficient than networks that operate on sequential processing models.

Scalability

Parallel execution solves the blockchain scalability problem by distributing transaction validation across network nodes. This speeds up the process and supports horizontal scaling. Horizontal scaling allows the network to add or remove nodes based on demand fluctuations.

Reduce gas costs

Parallel execution reduces fees by distributing transactions across subsets of nodes. This process is less expensive than sequential processing where each node validates each transaction. Additionally, the faster transaction speed reduces competition between nodes, further lowering transaction fees.

Summary

Parallel execution is a method of processing multiple transactions at the same time. This technology offers many benefits, including faster transaction processing, improved scalability, and lower fees. In the future, parallel execution can be combined with other scaling solutions, such as sharding, to help blockchain networks become even more scalable.

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