Glossary
Here is a list of common terms used on the Analog Network:
Analog Watch
View
A View is a set of data aggregated from single or multiple sources (i.e., smart contacts) across one or numerous blockchains and stored as a table in a relational database.
View Definition
View Definition describes the structure of the resulting View and the relationship between the various entities. It specifies how data from the supported chains should be indexed, making it queryable by applications.
Cycle
A cycle refers to the frequency with which Analog Watch refreshes the data after the View has been sponsored.
TSS Data Hash
A cryptographic output derived from combined signatures of a designated shard and hashed transactions from external chains submitted to the Timechain for further validation and storage.
Subgraph
A high-level descriptor detailing the exact smart contract functions and Views associated with a session key.
Timechain
An immutable ledger maintained by the Analog Network validators (i.e., Time Nodes). It cryptographically stores the metadata and proofs associated with smart contracts and Views, guaranteeing that the available Analog Watch data is valid and tamper-resistant.
Analog GMP
General Message Passing (GMP)
The ability of a DApp or smart contract on one chain, like Astar, to invoke an action on another chain, such as Polygon.
Cross-Chain
The ability of a DApp or smart contract to transfer data/messages and tokens (value) between different blockchains.
Multi-chain
A growing Web3 ecosystem that is characterized by multiple blockchain networks, and it includes DApps that are launched on numerous chains.
Cross-Chain Composability
The ability for A DApp/smart contract on one chain to seamlessly communicate with other DApps/smart contracts on different chains, allowing developers to freely use, reassemble, modify, and build new applications or services.
Chronicle Nodes
Off-chain validators that provide attestation services (i.e., monitoring inbound cross-chain requests from connected chains, attesting to their validity, and posting the signed payload to the Timechain), and relaying services (i.e., picking up the request from the Timechain and forwarding them to the destination chain for execution).
Shard
An independent network within the Chronicle Node Network, which vertically divides the entire set of Chronicle Nodes. It enables multi-chain operability within the Analog Network ecosystem.
Threshold signature scheme (TSS)
A digital signature mechanism that generates a single signature from multiple Chronicle Nodes within a shard, with the signature distributed to ensure no single Chronicle Node operator has complete control over the private key.
Multi-Party Computation (MPC)
A cryptographic primitive used in the TSS that enables multiple Chronicle Nodes within a shard to sign off on cross-chain requests without disclosing their individual inputs.
Relayer
A Chronicle Node that gets selected on the destination shard to execute GMP message on that chain, following instructions emanating from the Timechain.