Orphan Block Summary
- An orphan block is a block that is not part of the longest blockchain.
- It occurs due to simultaneous mining of blocks by different miners.
- Orphan blocks are valid but are excluded from the main chain due to a competing chain having more proof-of-work.
- They do not contribute to the consensus of the network.
- Orphan blocks can still contain valid transactions that are eventually included in the main chain.
Orphan Block Definition
An orphan block is a valid block in a blockchain that is not included in the longest chain, often due to simultaneous block discovery by different miners. Despite being valid, orphan blocks are excluded from the main chain as the network favors the chain with the most proof-of-work.
What Is An Orphan Block?
An orphan block is a block that has been mined and was initially accepted by the network but subsequently dropped from the main blockchain.
This happens when two or more miners discover a block at almost the same time, leading to a temporary fork in the blockchain.
The network eventually resolves the fork by choosing the longest chain, causing the other blocks to be orphaned.
Who Encounters Orphan Blocks?
Miners are the primary entities who encounter orphan blocks.
When a miner discovers a new block, it is broadcasted to the network.
If another miner simultaneously discovers a different block, the network temporarily has two valid chains.
Eventually, one chain becomes longer and is accepted by the network, making the blocks on the shorter chain orphaned.
When Do Orphan Blocks Occur?
Orphan blocks occur during the mining process when two blocks are found at nearly the same time.
As miners continuously mine for new blocks, the network can temporarily have multiple branches.
Once the network identifies the longest chain, the shorter chains’ blocks are orphaned.
Where Are Orphan Blocks Found?
Orphan blocks are found in decentralized blockchain networks where multiple miners compete to add new blocks.
They are not part of the main blockchain but exist temporarily in the network until the consensus is reached.
Blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum can experience orphan blocks due to their decentralized nature.
Why Do Orphan Blocks Matter?
Orphan blocks are significant because they highlight the competitive nature of blockchain mining.
They demonstrate the network’s ability to resolve conflicts and maintain a single, consistent blockchain.
While orphan blocks do not contribute to the main chain, they ensure that transactions are eventually confirmed in the longest chain.
How Are Orphan Blocks Handled?
Orphan blocks are handled by the network consensus mechanism, which selects the longest chain as the valid one.
When a fork occurs, nodes in the network continue to mine and propagate blocks.
The chain with the most accumulated proof-of-work is accepted, and the blocks in the shorter chain are orphaned.
Transactions in orphan blocks are usually re-included in the main chain, ensuring they are not lost.
