Stratis Academy has now been updated with extensive update on the existing Stratis Full Node documentation. We start off with a useful document that breaks down the output of the Full Node.

The next stop shows how you can customize the Full Node’s features; it’s a document both for someone who wants to create a custom Full Node build, by swapping out a couple of existing features, and for someone who wants to go further and create their own custom feature. The ‘feature’ document is also a great grounding for the later topics, which discuss some of the out-of-the-box features of the Full Node.

The Full Node supports Proof-of-Stake (PoS), Proof-of-Work (PoW), and Proof-of-Authority (PoA) algorithms. Although documentation on the PoW algorithm is widely available, we realised there was not much information on how PoW and PoA algorithms work. For developers, we take the explanation of PoS right down to the code level and look at the individual calculations involved. Those interested in our sidechain and DLT solution will find the discussion on PoA ideal for gaining a deeper understanding on why this algorithm is so well-suited to these technologies. More can be read here.

Following on with the customization theme, the possibilities provided by Full Node’s consensus feature are explored. First, consensus is viewed from the component level, and the route blocks and headers take through the code on their way to validation is explained. Next the validation rule sets and the individual rules for each consensus algorithm are looked at in detail; this comes from the perspective that you want to create and integrate your own existing rules. Although modifications might, in many cases, involve minor adjustments to existing consensus algorithms, you could, with the knowledge provided here, also create your own unique consensus algorithm.

Our implementation of proven headers provides an interesting discussion and shows (right down at the code level) how an existing Bitcoin feature has been adapted for a PoS blockchain. It is also a good example of how Stratis’ architecture can facilitate new feature development with, for example, the clean introduction of new consensus rules.

Another example of Stratis’ commitment to PoS was the release of the Cold Staking feature which is detailed in the following section.

Stratis’ DLT solution is given an illuminating overview showing how it can serve enterprise clients.

Numerous other updates have been made to the existing material, and the smart contracts documentation comes with a new piece on how to use the Account Abstraction Layer to more easily develop and interact with smart contracts.

This release is a precursor to a future Academy update which will cover the Smart Contract Sidechain. Importantly, the material here covers some of the theory, design, and code that make this innovation possible.

The Stratis Academy can be found from our Developers page.