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A pruned node is a full node. A full node is any node that is fully validating. A pruned node is fully validating; "Full nodes download every block and transac
by crazypython 5y ago
A pruned node is a full node. A full node is any node that is fully validating. A pruned node is fully validating;
"Full nodes download every block and transaction and check them against Bitcoin's consensus rules." (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Full_node#Archival_Nodes https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Full_node#Archival_Nodes)
Pruned nodes do just that.
The blockchain data structure means that once verified, you don't need to store old blocks. You only need the most recent blocks to verify new ones.
The nodes you're talking about, that store the entire blockchain, is called an archival node.
Anyway, encouraging people to install full nodes, pruned or not– which enforces the rules– improves Bitcoin's decentralization.[0]
[0]: https://bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-core/features/validation https://bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-core/features/validation
- anonporridge 5y agoIt should be clarified that running a node isn't worthwhile as a "set it and forget it" contribution. If you're not actively using it for something, it will just silently break if the network does something against the rules and does nothing to improve decentralization. It doesn't even really matter from a software signalling perspective, because Sybil attacks are easy from someone with enough money to run lots of nodes. At best it's a gateway drug to get people more involved. Interestingly, running a lightning routing node actually is a way an individual can run a full node to not only generate some fees to cover the cost, but actively and consistently participate in the cyber economy and have a marginal voice in enforcing the rules. The nodes you have channels with are incentivized to care about your vote if they want to stay connected to you.