Mainnet and Testnet are two blockchain environments that serve specific purposes, while one is a testing ground for blockchain developers, the other is the main site for the deployment.
This article will give an understanding of what a mainnet and testnet are, as well as their significance and the primary distinctions between the two. Firstly, let us explain the term Mainnet and its associated features.
What is the Mainnet?
A mainnet is the finished result of a blockchain that is accessible to the general public for use. To explain it more simply, it is a live platform that allows users to conduct transactions using cryptocurrencies and tokens known as a mainnet. A mainnet is a distinct blockchain that runs on its own network and makes use of its own protocol and technologies.
The functional blockchain that processes transactions in the distributed ledger is known as the mainnet. These transactions involve digital currency. It is the live network that determines the economic worth of the native coins.
Mainnets are able to transport information and perform transactions like digital currencies and NFTs because they are blockchains that have been developed to their maximum potential.
For instance, the Bitcoin and Ethereum networks are both examples of open-source mainnets that can be independently verified by the public.
Why do we need a Mainnet?
Because the introduction of a mainnet is what drives up the price of an asset, it is of the utmost importance. The Mainnet is proof that the development team has carried out the commitments made in the white paper in the appropriate manner.
It also helps indicate that the project is operating and making technological progress, which contributes to the credibility that the project establishes.
What may and cannot be done on the mainnet is established by the consensus method that the particular network employs.
For example, blockchain networks that make use of Proof-of-Work give miners the ability to validate transactions and collect block rewards for their efforts. On the other hand, transactions on Proof-of-Stake blockchain mainnets are confirmed by stakers based on the amount of network stake they own, and stakers get the transaction fees paid by users.
Transactions that take place on the mainnet make use of the native cryptocurrency and tokens of the network, and the distributed ledger keeps track of these transactions.
Application of Mainnet
Mainnets are typically open-source, which means that the general public can access the code that runs underneath them. This not only makes the mainnet more transparent but also boosts the trust that users have in it.
The existence of a mainnet demonstrates that a project is successful and extends an invitation to the general public to make use of the mainnet.
- The anti-spam and other security mechanisms of the blockchain are an integral part of the projects that are launched on the mainnet.
- The capabilities of the blockchain may be seen in action on the Mainnet. It extends a warm invitation to each and every one to join the network and get started.
- Because of the use cases provided by the mainnet application, additional decentralized applications (dApps) will be able to join the blockchain.
- Mainnets are blockchains that are completely operational and may be used to send and receive any transaction. This includes the transfer of information as well as payments made in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or cryptocurrencies.
Examples of Mainnet
Some examples of well-known mainnets include the following:
- Ethereum Mainnet
- Binance Smart Chain Mainnet
- Avalanche C-Chain
- Polygon Mainnet
- Aurora Mainnet
- Celo Mainnet
- Telos EVM Mainnet
Importance of Mainnet in Blockchain
Mainnet serves some purpose and is particular in some areas examples of which are
- Verifiable proof of development
- Credibility
- Actual transactions site
Verifiable proof of development
The presence of a mainnet is evidence that the development of the project is proceeding normally and that progress is being made. Because everyone can participate in the network, a live mainnet would also put the functionality and capacity of the blockchain to the test.
This is because any faults could put the blockchain’s internal operations in jeopardy. The deployment of a blockchain on the mainnet, where actual transactions in the real world are taking place in a transparent manner, is irrefutable proof that a project possesses a functional blockchain.
Launching the mainnet requires a significant investment of time, money, and effort because of the importance of ensuring that each component is functioning as it should.
Credibility
A blockchain project is nothing more than an idea rather than an actual operational entity that might be put to any number of practical uses without the mainnet.
The existence of a mainnet makes it possible for a live ecosystem of users to be formed, which in turn makes it possible for real-time interaction and transactions to take place in an environment that is completely transparent.
Actual transactions site
The transactions that take place on the network are handled by the mainnet. It is a blockchain platform that is fully functional, and it gives users the ability to send and receive cryptocurrency transactions as well as any other kind of digital data that is kept on a distributed ledger.
Having known what a Mainnet is, the significance of blockchain, and the types of mainnets, let us take a look at Testnet to have an understanding of this blockchain environment.
What is the Testnet?
Testnet is essentially an environment that simulates the mainnet, and its functionality is identical to that of the mainnet. Before a blockchain project is released to the public, its developers will use something called a testnet to create, test, edit, and run their projects. Before revealing a project to the general public, it enables programmers to monitor the success of the endeavor as well as its progression.
The mainnet is the functioning version of the blockchain, whereas the testnet is merely a simulation. Contrary to transactions that take place on the mainnet, those that take place on the testnet do not have an inherent value.
In contrast to a mainnet, which makes use of currencies that have an associated monetary value, a testnet gives developers the freedom to make use of coins that have no such associated value. In this way, they avoid incurring financial losses, paying exorbitant gas fees, and clogging up the blockchain.
For instance, the environment of the Ethereum testnet is completely different from that of the mainnet, this is due to the fact that the difficulty levels on the testnet are intentionally lowered to make testing simpler and more streamlined for developers. Because of this convenience, faster mining and quicker transaction confirmation are now possible.
Applications of Testnet
The testnet environment has also shown its applicability and usefulness in some areas including that:
- Tests can be run on a testnet to identify and eliminate flaws before a project is made available on the blockchain for public involvement.
- Tokens on a testnet have no value, whereas on the main network, the use of real money results in greater running costs.
- Because there are fewer transactions on a testnet, working with it is easier for developers and quality assurance specialists.
Examples of Testnet
Some of the common examples of Testnet include:
- Sapolia
- Kiln
- Goerli
- Polyscan
Importance of Testnet in Blockchain
The testnet phase is extremely important since it acts as a trial run prior to the official launch of the network.
Imagine transmitting cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars without first validating that the Blockchain performed as intended, and then losing all of it. You would be in a terrible position. It is only reasonable for developers to want to stop it from ever happening, and for this reason, the testnet phase acts as a protection mechanism.
some other importance of Testnet in blockchain is listed below
- Dynamic Process
- Minimizes Disruption
- Cost-free trial
Dynamic development
Due to the fact that blockchain technology is still in its infant phases of development, continuous testing and error analyses are essential at this point in time.
For example, Ethereum Improvement Proposal 1559, often known as EIP 1559, is a well-known hard-fork upgrade that was implemented on the Ethereum network. Prior to being implemented on the mainnet, EIP 1559 was put through a series of tests on the Ethereum testnet.
Minimizes Disruption
Testers of protocols, application developers, and even security people can test the features and operations of a protocol in a different environment with the help of a testnet, which eliminates the risk of causing interference with the primary Blockchain.
Cost-free trial
In the case of a testnet, tokens do not have any value associated with them, in contrast to the situation on a mainnet, which processes the actual transactions and where tokens have a backend value.
Testnets provide a testing environment for developers that are interested in building blockchain apps or checking out particular functionalities without having to invest real money. If developers did not have access to a testnet environment, it would be prohibitively expensive for them to conduct research or test application features on the mainnet.
Differences between a Mainnet and a Testnet
The differences between a Mainnet and a Testnet are explained in terms of:
- Purpose
- Network ID
- Operating Cost
- Transaction Frequency
- Genesis Block
- Nodes
Purpose
The purpose of the testnet is to provide a “Platform” for testing, whereas the mainnet is the fully operational blockchain that has been made public.
Network ID
Developers will be able to more easily identify the network by using the network ID. Different Network IDs are assigned to mainnets and testnets respectively.
For instance, the network ID for Ethereum’s mainnet is 1, while the other testnets that are utilized the most have network IDs of 3, 4, and 42, respectively, for Ropsten, Rinkeby, and Kovan.
Operating Cost
To conduct any kind of transaction on the blockchain, you are required to pay a fee in the form of tokens that have a specific monetary worth. The tokens do not have any value while they are being used on the testnet while the fees associated with mainnet transactions are more expensive. Transfers of value, staking rewards, and deployments of smart contracts are some examples of operations that fall under this category.
Transaction Frequency
The number of transactions that take place on a testnet is rather small when compared to a mainnet.
Genesis Block
The very first block of every blockchain is referred to as the genesis block. Testnets and mainnets each have their own unique genesis blocks that are completely separate from one another.
Nodes
A testnet will often have a smaller number of nodes compared to a mainnet.
Conclusion
The mainnet environment serves as the platform for deployment by developers, however, the testnet is also not of less importance as it serves as a testing ground for processes before their final deployment on the mainnet.