What is Hard Fork in Blockchain & How Does it Work?

The
concept
of
forks
in

blockchain
technology
is
quite
common
and
widely
used.
Fork
basically
involves
copying
the
code
and
changing
it
for
the
purpose
of
creating
a
new
version
or
software.
Now
that
you
have
an
insight
into
–
‘What
is
a
fork
in
blockchain?’
It
is
time
to
dive
into
the
concept.
Hard
fork
involves
dynamic
modification
in
the
protocols
and
processes
of

blockchain
networks.

Hard
fork
in
blockchain
is
a
common
event
that
blockchain
developers
use
for
diverse
purposes.
Hard
fork
working
in
blockchain
may
be
used
as
a
part
of
a
simple
maintenance
activity.
Regardless
of
its
use,
hard
fork
is
an
important
event
that
you
need
to
be
aware
of
in
the
blockchain
arena.
Let
us
learn
about
the
concept
an
in-depth
level.

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An
Insight
into
Hard
Fork

A
blockchain
hard
fork
refers
to
an
event
which
involves
a
change
in
programming.
Due
to
such
a
change,
it
becomes
incompatible
with
previous
programming.
Hard
fork
working
in
blockchain
results
in
the
creation
of
a
new
blockchain
as
well
as

cryptocurrency.
The
process
can
lead
to
the
validation
of
transactions
as
well
as
blocks
that
were
categorized
as
valid
or
invalid.
Hence
hard
fork
requires
all
the
users
who
want
to
remain
on
the
new
chain
to
upgrade
to
the
latest
software
version.

The
rule
change
that
takes
place
via
hard
fork
may
be
initiated
by

blockchain
developers.
However,
the
process
may
also
be
started
by
the
members
of
the
blockchain
community.
It
is
essential
to
note
that
blockchain
hard
fork
has
the
potential
to
give
rise
to
wide-ranging
effects.
Now
that
you
have
clarity
on
the
specific
types,
it
is
time
to
explore
its
features
and
attributes.

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familiar
with
the
terms
related
to
blockchain
with Blockchain
Basics
Flashcards.

Key
Features
of
Hard
Fork

Hard
fork
in
blockchain
has
a
number
of
unique
features.
Before
diving
into
how
hard
fork
working
in
blockchain
takes
place,
you
must
familiarize
yourself
with
the
concept
thoroughly.
Some
of
the
chief
features
of
hard
fork
are:

• 
  
  Blockchain
  protocols
  are
  altered
  in
  a
  non-backwards
  manner.
  Hence
  the
  change
  is
  permanent
  and  
• 
  The
  process
  results
  in
  the
  development
  of
  entirely
  new
  currencies.
• 
  While
  one
  branch
  of
  the
  blockchain
  is
  the
  old
  version,
  the
  other
  part
  is
  the
  newer
  version
  which
  has
  no
  resemblance
  with
  the
  old
  blockchain
  version.
• In
  blockchain
  hard
  fork,
  no
  fungibility
  exists
  between
  the
  new
  offshoot
  and
  the
  previous
  or
  old
  cryptocurrency.
• Hard
  fork
  in
  blockchain
  may
  be
  considered
  to
  be
  disruptive
  in
  nature
  as
  it
  may
  give
  rise
  to
  security
  concerns.

How
does
Hard
Fork
in
Blockchain
work?

The
hard
fork
event
fundamentally
leads
to
the
emergence
of
a
completely
new
blockchain
version
which
is
incompatible
with
the
original
version.
Although
it
may
be
disruptive,
it
may
not
always
be
adverse.
In
order
to
understand
how
hard
fork
works,
you
need
to
have
a
comprehensive
insight
into
blockchain
technology. 

• 
  Software
  layers 

Blockchain
technology
involves
programs
that
develop
as
well
as
store
information
on
computer
networks.
It
encompasses
a
diverse
range
of
software
layers.
Their
layers
are
responsible
for
carrying
out
a
broad
range
of
tasks
and
operations.
It
is
possible
to
make
changes
to
the
underlying
programming
of
the
software
layers.
However,
in
order
to
do
so
it
is
essential
for
all
the
participants
within
the
blockchain
network
to
accept
the
same.

• 
  Blockchain
  Fork 

When
a
change
is
published
by
developers,
it
may
take
place
either
via
hard
fork
or
soft
fork.
Hard
fork
is
when
drastic
changes
take
place.
Due
to
the
drastic
nature,
the
participants
running
the
old
version
may
be
prevented
from
taking
part
in
the
blockchain
processes.
On
the
other
hand,
when
it
comes
to
soft
fork,
both
old
and
new
nodes
are
operational. 

• 
  Choice
  for
  blockchain
  participants 

In
case
of
hard
fork
event,
participants
or
users
within
blockchain
networks
have
to
make
a
choice.
An
option
before
them
is
to
make
updates
to
their
software
so
that
it
will
be
compatible
with
the
new
version.
Another
option
that
is
available
with
them
is
to
make
no
updates.
If
they
choose
not
to
make
any
updates,
they
can
continue
using
the
old
blockchain
version. 

• 
  Outcome
  of
  Hard
  Fork 

The
outcome
of
hard
fork
in
blockchain
involves
the
creation
of
a
permanent
chain.
It
is
caused
by
the
splitting
of
the
previous
blockchain
version
into
two
branches
including
the
old
blockchain
version
and
the
new
blockchain
version.

Key
Stages
in
Hard
Fork 

The
initiation
of
hard
fork
takes
place
when
there
is
a
change
in
the
protocols
of
a
blockchain
network.
In
order
to
get
a
comprehensive
insight
into
the
concept
a
sequence
of
stages
have
been
presented. 

• 
  The
  proposal
  relating
  to
  changes
  may
  be
  given
  for
  diverse
  reasons
  such
  as
  tackling
  security
  concerns
  or
  integrating
  new
  features.
• 
  After
  the
  changes
  have
  been
  agreed
  upon,
  it
  is
  time
  to
  perform
  the
  coding. 
• 
  Subsequently
  it
  is
  time
  to
  choose
  a
  particular
  block
  number.
• 
  When
  the
  particular
  block
  number
  approaches,
  notes
  within
  the
  blockchain
  network
  update
  to
  the
  new
  or
  changed
  protocols. 
• 
  After
  the
  arrival
  of
  the
  specific
  block
  number,
  the
  activation
  of
  the
  fork
  takes
  place.
• 
  Once
  the
  activation
  is
  complete,
  the
  fragmentation
  of
  the
  blockchain
  takes
  place
  into
  two
  branches.   

Chief
Reasons
for
Blockchain
Hard
Fork 

Blockchain
developers
may
prefer
hard
fork
in
blockchain
for
numerous
reasons.
One
of
the
most
common
reasons
for
Blockchain
Hard
Fork
is
disagreement
among
developers.
In
such
a
scenario,
the
specific
blockchain
fork
mechanism
serves
as
a
useful
method
to
handle
the
disagreement.
Another
common
reason
for
hard
fork
in
blockchain
is
when
there
is
a
need
to
make
updates
to
a
blockchain
network.

In
such
circumstances,
developers
have
no
choice
but
to
use
the
blockchain
fork
to
ensure
that
the
blockchain
remains
updated.
One
may
engage
in
hard
fork
events
in
case
they
wish
to
create
a
new
blockchain
and
cryptocurrency
that
they
control.
The
existence
of
diverse
reasons
makes
hard
fork
in
blockchain
a
common
practice.  

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Advantages
of
Hard
Fork

The
hard
fork
event
in
the
realm
of
blockchain
can
give
rise
to
a
host
of
advantages.
In
order
to
get
a
comprehensive
insight
into
the
concept,
you
need
to
be
aware
of
the
advantages
that
can
arise
within
blockchain
networks
due
to
hard
fork.

• 
  One
  of
  the
  main
  advantages
  revolves
  around
  better
  security.
  Hard
  fork
  can
  help
  address
  security
  concerns
  within
  blockchain
  networks.
  As
  a
  result,
  it
  can
  create
  value
  for
  participants
  within
  the
  network.
  They
  can
  engage
  in
  transactions
  in
  a
  safe
  and
  secure
  manner. 

• 
  Can
  improve
  the
  performance
  of
  blockchain
  networks.
  The
  creation
  of
  a
  newer
  version
  of
  a
  blockchain
  may
  have
  improved
  features
  in
  comparison
  to
  the
  previous
  version. 

• 
  The
  process
  creates
  an
  opportunity
  for
  developers
  to
  integrate
  new
  functionalities
  to
  blockchain.
  Hence
  there
  is
  an
  opportunity
  for
  users
  within
  the
  blockchain
  community
  to
  pursue
  diverse
  visions
  for
  their
  projects. 

In
order
to
understand
the
hard
fork
working
in
blockchain,
it
is
essential
to
learn
about
the
associated
advantages.
It
will
help
you
have
an
open
mind
in
the
event
of
hard
fork.

Disadvantages
of
Hard
Fork

It
is
true
that
hard
fork
may
give
rise
to
a
number
of
advantages.
However,
it
is
essential
to
keep
in
mind
that
it
may
also
give
rise
to
certain
disadvantages.
Blockchain
developers
as
well
as
members
of
blockchain
communities
need
to
be
aware
of
the
key
disadvantage.

• 
  One
  of
  the
  fundamental
  disadvantages
  is
  that
  it
  may
  give
  rise
  to
  confusion
  among
  investors.
  When
  a
  new
  and
  similar
  cryptocurrency
  comes
  into
  existence
  it
  may
  perplex
  investors
  and
  hamper
  their
  ability
  to
  engage
  in
  transactions.  
• 
  Another
  disadvantage
  is
  that
  it
  may
  give
  rise
  to
  vulnerabilities
  within
  the
  network.
  Therefore,
  the
  possibility
  of
  attacks
  by
  malicious
  parties
  such
  as
  online
  hackers
  and
  cybercriminals
  may
  increase.  
• 
  The
  branching
  of
  a
  blockchain
  into
  an
  older
  version
  and
  a
  new
  version
  may
  lead
  to
  fluctuation
  in
  value.
  As
  a
  result,
  participants
  may
  consider
  it
  to
  be
  a
  form
  of
  hindrance. 

In
the
event
of
hard
fork
in
the
blockchain
realm,
a
number
of
negative
effects
may
arise.
The
disadvantages
may
diminish
the
overall
effectiveness
of
hard
fork.
It
is
essential
to
carefully
weigh
the
advantages
and
disadvantages
before
determining
whether
blockchain
hard
fork
is
required
or
not. 

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Blockchain
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experts
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Final
thoughts 

In
blockchain
technology
hard
fork
is
a
common
practice
among

blockchain
developers.
Developers
or
blockchain
community
members
may
opt
for
the
process
for
diverse
reasons
like
adding
new
functionalities
or
features,
resolving
disagreements
or
conflicts,
etc.
For
understanding
how
hard
fork
works
it
is
imperative
to
take
into
account
the
positive
as
well
as
the
negative
implications. 

Blockchain
developers
need
to
have
a
solid
understanding
of
hard
fork
so
that
they
can
engage
in
it
when
necessary.
In
the
case
of
hard
fork,
participants
need
to
make
their
choice
carefully
regarding
the
use
of
the
old
or
the
new
version
of
the

blockchain.
You
can
learn
more
on
the
concept
of
hard
fork
and
its
significance
in
the
blockchain
landscape. 

*Disclaimer:
The
article
should
not
be
taken
as,
and
is
not
intended
to
provide
any
investment
advice.
Claims
made
in
this
article
do
not
constitute
investment
advice
and
should
not
be
taken
as
such.
101
Blockchains
shall
not
be
responsible
for
any
loss
sustained
by
any
person
who
relies
on
this
article.
Do
your
own
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