diff --git a/glossary.md b/glossary.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbc6aad --- /dev/null +++ b/glossary.md @@ -0,0 +1,57 @@ +# 🧠 Monad Glossary + +This glossary provides beginner-friendly definitions for key terms used throughout the Monad ecosystem and broader blockchain development. Designed to help new contributors, developers, and community members speak the same language. + + +### πŸ—οΈ Core Blockchain Concepts + +- **L1 (Layer 1)**: A base blockchain (like Monad, Ethereum, Bitcoin) that processes and validates transactions without relying on another chain. +- **EVM**: Ethereum Virtual Machine β€” the environment that runs smart contracts. Monad is EVM-compatible, so Ethereum apps can run on it with minimal changes. +- **Slot**: A unit of time used to measure when validators are selected to produce blocks. +- **Finality**: When a block is considered irreversible and cannot be altered or undone. +- **Gas**: A fee paid to perform operations (transactions or contract calls) on the blockchain. Gas is measured in units and priced in Monad’s native token. +- **Block**: A collection of transactions bundled together and permanently recorded on the blockchain. +- **State**: The current status of all accounts, balances, and smart contracts on the blockchain. + + +### βš™οΈ Monad-Specific & Developer Terms + +- **Parallel Execution**: Monad supports parallel transaction processing to increase throughput, unlike traditional blockchains that process sequentially. +- **Pipelining**: A design approach in Monad that allows overlapping stages of execution (like fetch, decode, execute) for improved performance. +- **RPC (Remote Procedure Call)**: A set of methods that developers use to interact with the Monad blockchain (e.g., checking balances, submitting transactions). +- **Bridge**: A protocol that lets you transfer tokens between Monad and other blockchains like Ethereum or Solana. +- **Node**: A server or computer running Monad software to validate transactions, store blockchain data, and relay information to others. +- **Testnet**: A sandbox version of the blockchain where developers can test code using fake tokens before deploying to mainnet. +- **Mainnet**: The real, live version of the blockchain β€” where real value is at stake. + + +### 🧱 Smart Contract Terms + +- **Smart Contract**: Code stored on the blockchain that automatically executes actions when conditions are met. +- **Solidity**: The main programming language used to write smart contracts for EVM-compatible chains, including Monad. +- **Deployment**: The act of uploading a smart contract to the blockchain. +- **ABI (Application Binary Interface)**: A data format that defines how to interact with a smart contract β€” used by frontends and tools like ethers.js. +- **Gas Limit**: The maximum amount of gas a transaction is allowed to use. + + +### 🌐 Ecosystem & Governance + +- **Monad**: A high-performance Layer 1 blockchain that is EVM-compatible and optimized for parallel, pipelined execution. +- **Monadbase**: The official documentation site for Monad β€” [https://docs.monad.xyz](https://docs.monad.xyz) +- **Monad Community Resources**: This repository! A public space for helpful guides, tutorials, tools, and community-driven knowledge. +- **Airdrop**: A way of distributing tokens (usually for free) to early adopters, users, or contributors of a blockchain or dApp. + + +### πŸ”’ Security & Protocol Terms + +- **Consensus**: The mechanism by which all nodes agree on the state of the blockchain. +- **Validator**: A node that confirms and proposes new blocks. Validators are rewarded for honest behavior and penalized for misbehavior. +- **Slashing**: A penalty given to validators who behave dishonestly (like double-signing blocks). +- **Private Key**: A secret code that gives full access to a blockchain wallet β€” never share it. +- **Public Key / Address**: Your public blockchain identity. Others use this to send you tokens or interact with your contracts. + + +### πŸ“Œ Contribute + +Got a new term to add? +Fork this repo, edit this file, and submit a pull request. Let's make Monad easier for everyone to understand. πŸ™Œ