Prunable Data
Prunable data is a term used to describe information that can be removed from the blockchain without compromising its integrity. It refers to any data or piece of information that does not need to remain on the blockchain after it has been committed. This type of data includes transaction inputs, outputs and signatures, as well as other metadata associated with transactions such as timestamps and nonces. Pruning this type of data makes the blockchain more efficient by reducing its size, allowing for faster processing times and cheaper storage costs.
In order to prune this kind of information, special software needs to be installed on nodes in the network. The software will scan through blocks in search of these types of superfluous pieces of data which can then be discarded safely without affecting the accuracy or security of the chain itself. It should also be noted that while prunable data could theoretically improve a blockchain’s scalability, there are no guarantees that this would happen in real-world applications due to potential technical limitations or other issues related to implementation.
Additionally, some cryptocurrency projects have specific protocols which dictate when certain kinds of prunable data can (or cannot) be removed from their blockchains; so if you are considering implementing pruning for your own project or using an existing protocol for existing ones it is important that you read up on all relevant rules carefully before proceeding with any changes.
