Glossary¶
A comprehensive glossary of terms used in XDC Network documentation.
A¶
Address¶
A unique identifier on the blockchain, derived from a public key. XDC addresses can be displayed in two formats:
- 0x format: 0x71C7656EC7ab88b098defB751B7401B5f6d8976F
- xdc format: xdc71C7656EC7ab88b098defB751B7401B5f6d8976F
ABI (Application Binary Interface)¶
A JSON specification that defines how to interact with a smart contract’s functions and data structures.
Apothem¶
The primary testnet for XDC Network. Used for development and testing before mainnet deployment.
Archive Node¶
A full node that stores all historical blockchain states, not just the latest state.
B¶
Block¶
A collection of transactions that are bundled together and added to the blockchain.
Block Explorer¶
A web application that allows users to view blockchain data including transactions, addresses, and blocks. Examples: BlocksScan, XDCScan.
Block Height¶
The number of blocks in the chain from the genesis block to the current block.
Block Time¶
The average time between new blocks. XDC has a ~2 second block time.
BFT (Byzantine Fault Tolerant)¶
A consensus property ensuring the network functions correctly even if some nodes are malicious or faulty.
C¶
Chain ID¶
A unique identifier for a blockchain network. XDC Mainnet is 50, Apothem is 51.
Checkpoint¶
A snapshot of subnet state that is anchored to the XDC mainnet for security.
Consensus¶
The mechanism by which nodes agree on the current state of the blockchain.
Contract Address¶
The address where a smart contract is deployed on the blockchain.
D¶
DApp (Decentralized Application)¶
An application that runs on a decentralized blockchain network rather than centralized servers.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance)¶
Financial services built on blockchain technology without traditional intermediaries.
Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)¶
A consensus mechanism where token holders vote for validators to secure the network.
E¶
Epoch¶
A fixed period of blocks (900 blocks on XDC) after which validator sets may change.
EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine)¶
The runtime environment for smart contracts. XDC is EVM-compatible.
F¶
Finality¶
The guarantee that a transaction cannot be reversed. XDC achieves instant finality through BFT consensus.
Fork¶
A change in blockchain protocol or a split in the chain history.
Full Node¶
A node that stores the complete blockchain and validates all transactions.
G¶
Gas¶
A unit measuring computational effort required to execute operations on the blockchain.
Gas Limit¶
The maximum amount of gas a user is willing to spend on a transaction.
Gas Price¶
The amount of XDC (in Gwei) paid per unit of gas. Determines transaction priority.
Genesis Block¶
The first block in a blockchain (block 0).
Gwei¶
A denomination of XDC. 1 XDC = 1,000,000,000 Gwei.
H¶
Hash¶
A fixed-length cryptographic fingerprint of data. Used extensively in blockchain for security.
Hot Wallet¶
A wallet connected to the internet, used for frequent transactions.
I¶
ISO 20022¶
An international standard for financial messaging that XDC Network supports.
K¶
KYC (Know Your Customer)¶
Identity verification process required for regulatory compliance.
L¶
Layer 1 (L1)¶
The base blockchain network. XDC Mainnet is a Layer 1.
Layer 2 (L2)¶
Solutions built on top of L1 to improve scalability. XDC Subnets can function as L2.
Liquidity¶
The ease with which an asset can be bought or sold without affecting its price.
M¶
Mainnet¶
The primary public XDC blockchain network where real transactions occur.
Masternode¶
A validator node on XDC Network that requires 10M XDC stake and participates in consensus.
Mempool¶
A waiting area for unconfirmed transactions before they’re included in a block.
Mnemonic / Seed Phrase¶
A series of words (usually 12 or 24) that can recover a wallet’s private keys.
N¶
Node¶
A computer running blockchain software that maintains a copy of the ledger.
Nonce¶
A number used once in transaction ordering to prevent replay attacks.
O¶
Oracle¶
A service that provides external data to smart contracts.
P¶
Private Key¶
A secret cryptographic key that proves ownership of an address. Never share this!
Proof of Stake (PoS)¶
A consensus mechanism where validators are chosen based on their token stake.
Protocol¶
The rules governing how the blockchain operates.
Public Key¶
A cryptographic key derived from the private key, used to generate addresses.
R¶
RPC (Remote Procedure Call)¶
An API protocol for interacting with blockchain nodes.
RWA (Real-World Assets)¶
Physical or financial assets tokenized on the blockchain.
S¶
Slashing¶
Penalty mechanism that reduces a validator’s stake for misbehavior.
Smart Contract¶
Self-executing code deployed on the blockchain that runs when conditions are met.
Solidity¶
The primary programming language for EVM smart contracts.
Staking¶
Locking tokens to participate in network security and earn rewards.
Standby Node¶
A node ready to become a Masternode if an active one fails.
Subnet¶
A separate blockchain network connected to XDC mainnet.
T¶
Testnet¶
A blockchain network for testing, using valueless tokens.
Token¶
A digital asset created on a blockchain using smart contracts (e.g., XRC20 tokens).
Transaction¶
A signed message that transfers value or interacts with a smart contract.
Transaction Fee¶
The cost paid in XDC to execute a transaction.
TVL (Total Value Locked)¶
The total value of assets deposited in DeFi protocols.
TPS (Transactions Per Second)¶
A measure of blockchain throughput. XDC supports 2,000+ TPS.
V¶
Validator¶
A node that participates in consensus by proposing and validating blocks.
W¶
Wallet¶
Software or hardware that stores private keys and allows interaction with the blockchain.
Web3¶
The concept of a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology.
Wei¶
The smallest denomination of XDC. 1 XDC = 10^18 Wei.
X¶
XDC¶
The native token of XDC Network, used for transactions, staking, and governance.
XDPoS¶
XinFin Delegated Proof of Stake - XDC Network’s consensus mechanism.
XRC20¶
XDC’s fungible token standard, equivalent to Ethereum’s ERC20.
XRC721¶
XDC’s non-fungible token (NFT) standard, equivalent to Ethereum’s ERC721.
XDC Zero¶
Cross-chain bridge technology connecting XDC mainnet with subnets.
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