Ethereum: Understanding Compactsize and Varint Encoding
The Ethereum blockchain has long been plagued by issues related to data compression and encoding. Two of the most widely used encodings in the ecosystem are compactsize and varint (variable int), which have been referenced interchangeably until recently. These two encoding schemes and explore why they were previously confused.
CompactSize Encoding
Pieter Wuille’s Definition of Compactsize Encoding is a crucial point to establish clarity. » This Approach Aims to Minimize Storage Requirements for the Transaction Data without sacrificing its security or integrity.
Emphasizes the use of the use of the use of the use of an array of variable-Bength integers (VLIS) to store and transmit data. These vlis are used to represent complex data structures in a compact and efficient manner. Scheme compared to compacts, but both encodings can be used to reduce the size of transaction data.
Varint Encoding
Varint Encoding has been widely adopted in many blockchain networks, including Ethereum. According to the Bitcoin wiki, varint is defined as an array of unsigned integers that represents a data structure. Data on the Network.
The key differences between varint encoding and compactSize encoding lie in their approach:
* Structure : Varint uses an array of vlis, while compactsize replaces certain caracters with shorter codes.
* Purpose
: Varint is designed for storing and transmitting complex data structures, where
Why the Confusion?
It is not surprising that the bitcoin wiki initially claimed that compactsize is not related to varint. « Simple Replacement » Approach, where Greg Walker’s Definition Emphasizes the use of VLis and complex data structures.
In reality, both encoding schemes can be used together or independently. Data Sizes, Varint is still necessary for storing large amousters of complex data, such as smart contract code or network configurations.
Conclusion
The differences between compactsize and varint encoding are clear once the correct definitions are understood. While both Encodings Aim to Improve Data Compression, their approaches different significantly. Pieter Wuille’s Definition of Compactsize Highlights its simplicity and focus on transaction data reduction
The efficient data transmission and storage on the Ethereum blockchain.