Cardano (ADA), the cryptocurrency project most famous for their scientific philosophy and academic approach to building the Cardano ecosystem, has released the most significant update to the Cardano ecosystem to date.
Cardano version 1.4 is an enormous overhaul of Cardano with significant improvements to the performance and functionality of the software. The update will not only see powerful improvements right out of the gate, it will lay the foundation for the entire Cardano ecosystem to realize their goals.
The v1.4 upgrade includes optimized block storage of the Cardano blockchain, a Cardano test network, support of the Rust programming language, and full wallet support for Linux operating systems.
One of the most important changes in the v1.4 upgrade is the substantial reduction of block size. Currently, a user who stores the entire Cardano blockchain must store roughly 1.5 million files, and this number is increasing with every new block produced.
With the streamlined blockchain update, users will only have to store 200 files to host the entire Cardano blockchain. They reduce storage needs further by requiring the storage of only 1 file for each epoch, which is a snapshot of the current set of miners taken every 20 seconds.
So what does the reduction in storage mean for users? Well, it’s now significantly faster to create and restore a wallet, holders get improved proof-of-stake mining performance, and synchronization with the online blockchain network is much faster.
One of the most highly anticipated features of the upgrade, at least for developers, is the newly-released test network (testnet) of the Cardano blockchain.
The testnet will have the same properties, functionality, and integration capabilities as the real Cardano blockchain and is only one software update ahead it.
Developers can seamlessly test and run code without risk, and the main Cardano blockchain will become more easily upgradable with reliable software.
An important aspect of the v1.4 upgrade is to spur further development and innovation in the Cardano ecosystem.
One way the upgrade does this is by supporting the Rust programming language by opening an open-source sandbox for developers to integrate and build products on Cardano’s platform.
Rust is a programming language primarily used in embedded systems such as computer chips, industrial machines, and so on. Many third-party developers making iOS, Android, and web applications often use Rust.
The code has a focus on safety while maintaining performance which prevents programmers from making critical errors. Also, the language is syntactically similar to C and C++, which makes it familiar to many developers.
This open-source Rust sandbox should generate more development and further decentralize the project.
Another important update in v1.4 is the full release of Cardano’s Daedalus wallet for Linux.
While Linux may not be the most popular operating system to the average user who prefers Mac or Windows, it is the most popular open-source computer operating system. In fact, Linux powers a very large number of phones, servers, and supercomputers.
The Linux wallet has been in public beta since Cardano released v1.1, and it’s finally ready for Linux users.
According to Cardano’s roadmap, the project has been in the “Byron” stage of development for quite some time. Now, with the v1.4 update and its massive significance, Cardano’s next major stage of development “Shelly” is right around the corner.
Shelly will be yet another giant leap for Cardano and will feature a diverse range of features and improvements including but not limited to:
For some of these features mentioned above, Cardano enthusiasts can expect to see them live in Q1 2019.
What do you think of Cardano’s progress and their future? Will Cardano become a strong contender with other dapp development and smart contract platforms? Let us know in the comment section below.
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