Ethereum: How is the size of a block calculated?

Ethereum Block Size Calculation and Enforcement

As a prominent alternative to traditional blockchain technology, Ethereum has gained immense popularity over the years due to its decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and smart contracts. One of the key aspects of Ethereum’s scalability is its block size, which determines the number of transactions that can be processed within each block. In this article, we will delve into how Ethereum’s block size is calculated and specifically examine its calculation process for enforcing the 1MB limit.

Ethereum Block Size Calculation

Ethereum block size calculation is a complex process involving several steps:

• Number of Transactions

  

  : The first step involves counting the number of transactions in each block. This is usually done by iterating over all the transactions that have been added to the block and storing them in an array.

• Transaction Hashing: The hash of each transaction is then used as the basis for calculating the block hash.

• Hash Function: A SHA-256-based hash function, such as the Keccak-256 algorithm, is used to combine the transaction hash values ​​​​into a single string called the “block data”.

• Encryption and Signing: The block data is encrypted using public and private key pairs and then signed by the account that owns the transactions.

• Block Hash Calculation: The encrypted block data is then hashed again using the same SHA-256-based hash function, resulting in a new string called the “block hash”.

Enforcing the 1MB Limit

Ethereum’s block size calculation is designed to ensure that each block can have a maximum of 4MB of data. Two algorithms are used to enforce this limit:

• Transaction hash length: The hash length of each transaction (usually 256 bits or 32 bytes) contributes to the total block size.

• Block data size: The number of transactions in a block also affects its size.

The block size calculation for Ethereum is done using a combination of the following formulas:

block_size = (number_of_transactions * transaction_hash_length + block_data_size)

block_size = 4 MB - (block_hash_length / 8)

where `block_size'' is the total block size,number_of_transactions'' is the number of transactions in the block,transaction_hash_length'' and`block_data_size” are constants that determine the proportion of the block size.

Comparison with Bitcoin Core

Bitcoin Core, a popular implementation of the Bitcoin protocol, also uses a similar calculation method to enforce its 1 MB limit. The key difference lies in the use of different hashing functions and algorithms:

• Ethereum uses SHA-256-based hashing functions, such as Keccak-256.

• Bitcoin Core uses SHA-256-based hashing functions, such as RIPEMD-160.

In terms of scalability, both implementations have their strengths and weaknesses. While Bitcoin Core can handle higher transaction speeds due to its ability to process more transactions per second, Ethereum’s block size calculation is optimized for high-capacity networks with a focus on scalability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ethereum’s block size calculation involves counting the number of transactions, hashing them using an algorithm based on SHA-256, and encrypting and signing each transaction. Two algorithms are used to enforce the 1MB limit: the transaction hash length and the block data size. The formula “block_size = (number_of_transactions * transaction_hash_length + block_data_size)” determines the total block size based on these factors.

The Ethereum team continues to work on improving scalability and performance by exploring new solutions such as sharding and layer 2 scaling. As for Bitcoin Core, its developers aim to increase the capacity of the network while maintaining a balance between security and efficiency.