Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a peer-to-peer network. This network is maintained by various nodes (computers) that are spread across the globe. These nodes work together to verify and validate transactions on the Bitcoin network. Every transaction that occurs on the network is broadcasted to all the nodes on the network. However, sometimes two miners may solve a block at the same time, which can lead to the creation of orphan blocks. In this article, we will discuss how orphan blocks are detected and handled by Bitcoin nodes.
What are orphan blocks?
Before we dive into how orphan blocks are detected and handled, let’s first understand what orphan blocks are. In the Bitcoin blockchain, every block contains a unique hash that identifies it. When a miner solves a block, it broadcasts the solution to the network. The nodes on the network then verify the solution and add the block to the blockchain. However, sometimes two miners may solve a block at the same time, which can lead to the creation of orphan blocks.
Orphan blocks are blocks that are not included in the main chain of the blockchain. This can happen when two miners solve a block at the same time, and both solutions are broadcasted to the network. Only one of these blocks can be added to the blockchain, and the other block becomes an orphan block.
How are orphan blocks detected?
Orphan blocks are detected by Bitcoin nodes by comparing the block they receive with the blocks they already have in their blockchain. When a node receives a new block, it first checks if the previous block in the chain matches the previous block it has in its blockchain. If it does, the node adds the new block to its blockchain. If it doesn’t match, the node assumes that the new block is an orphan block.
Once a node identifies an orphan block, it adds it to a list of orphan blocks. This list is maintained by the node until the orphan block is either added to the blockchain or discarded.
How are orphan blocks handled?
When a node identifies an orphan block, it adds it to a list of orphan blocks. This list is maintained by the node until the orphan block is either added to the blockchain or discarded. There are two ways in which orphan blocks can be handled:
1. Orphan block reorganization
When an orphan block is detected, the node that receives it will try to find the correct chain that includes the orphan block. The node will check if there are any other nodes that have the same orphan block in their list of orphan blocks. If there are, the node will try to connect to those nodes to see if they have a longer chain that includes the orphan block.
If the node finds a longer chain that includes the orphan block, it will discard its current chain and switch to the longer chain. This process is called orphan block reorganization. Once the node switches to the longer chain, the orphan block is no longer considered an orphan and is added to the blockchain.
2. Orphan block discarding
If the node cannot find a longer chain that includes the orphan block, it will discard the orphan block. The node will remove the orphan block from its list of orphan blocks and continue to look for the correct chain.
Conclusion
Orphan blocks can be a common occurrence in the Bitcoin network, but they are quickly detected and handled by the nodes on the network. When a node receives an orphan block, it adds it to a list of orphan blocks and tries to find the correct chain that includes the orphan block. If the node finds a longer chain that includes the orphan block, it will switch to the longer chain, and the orphan block will be added to the blockchain. If the node cannot find a longer chain that includes the orphan block, it will discard the orphan block. This process ensures that the Bitcoin network remains secure and reliable.
