What is Fork (Software)?

In addition, a fork can happen when the software updates of miners don&rsquo;t align with each other. In this case, the mining community should pick one of the blockchain paths to continue mining. Though if for some reason they cannot come to a unanimous decision, there will simply be two different versions of the blockchain. The extent to which blockchain will be altered depends on whether a <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-hard-fork-blockchain/">hard fork<\/strong><\/a> or a <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-soft-fork-blockchain/">soft fork<\/strong><\/a> occurred.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A soft fork<\/strong> is the addition of a new backward-compatible rule to the protocol that will not clash with older rules. This means that non-upgraded <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-node/">nodes will successfully communicate with upgraded nods. This change is not dramatic because new <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-block/">blocks will still be recognized by old nodes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A hard fork<\/strong>, on the other hand, is a massive change to the protocol that could result in the creation of new digital currencies. For instance, when the <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"https:////www.bitdegree.org//crypto//buy-bitcoin-btc/">Bitcoin blockchain<\/strong><\/a> split into two, Bitcoin Cash was created.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The changes that happen during a hard fork are permanent and not backward compatible meaning that all nodes must be upgraded because the old version of the software will not work with the new one. The new version of blockchain appears after the hard fork, creating its own transactions and blocks.<\/p>","definition":"the formation of a new version of the blockchain, which allows two blockchains to operate at the same time.","status":"published","meta_title":"What is Fork (Blockchain)? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki","meta_description":"Fork (Blockchain) meaning: Fork (Blockchain) - Fork \u2013 the formation of a new version of the blockchain, which allows two blockchains to operate at the same time.","meta_keywords":null}" :model="{"id":364,"wikipedia_url":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fork_(software_development)","level":"medium","author_id":1,"created_at":"2023-06-19T06:58:59.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-12-06T04:14:26.000000Z","slug":"what-is-fork-software","title":"What is Fork (Software)?","section":"F","keyword":"Fork (Software)","content":"<p>In the context of software development, <strong>forking<\/strong> refers to the <strong>development of a brand new project or program using the source code from another software<\/strong>. This creates a new software path by splitting it into different versions, i.e., creating forks. Forking is common among open-source software development communities.<\/p>\n<p>The source code of one program can be used to develop several forks as different developers follow their own directions to improve the source project or aim to replace it altogether.<\/p>\n<p>Developers can use an <strong><a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"//crypto//learn//crypto-terms//what-is-open-source/">open-source <\/strong>code or the legal copy of a code from a software package to start the process of working on a new program. The use of open-source code ensures the legality of the process.<\/p>\n<p>Developers using an <strong>open-source<\/strong> code <strong>do not breach any copyright laws<\/strong> and are <strong>not required to get permission<\/strong> to fork the software from the distributors or initial developers. The software developed as the fork is released to the community. It typically acts as an improved version of the source software and may provide more benefits to the users.<\/p>\n<p>Some fork projects <strong>may lead to conflict within the developer community<\/strong> due to differing views. The clash can then transfer into the overall community, with users choosing to use or boycott certain forks. In some cases, the community splits are amicable. However, it isn&rsquo;t uncommon for developers to garner resentment.<\/p>\n<p>If the fork projects become increasingly competitive, developers may choose to close the code and prevent it from being shared. This can lead to issues related to ownership, copyright, legality, and legitimacy. Competing developers may envision different project directions.<\/p>\n<p>Some developers are granted permission to use <strong>proprietary software<\/strong> for forking. Such software must be <strong>licensed by the copyright owners<\/strong> who maintain the exclusive legal rights to the project. Developers must have explicit permission from the copyright owners to create a fork that serves as a new, updated version of the software.<\/p>","definition":"the development of a new program using the source code.","status":"published","meta_title":"What is Fork (Software)? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki","meta_description":"Fork (Software) meaning: Fork (Software) - the development of a new program using the source code.","meta_keywords":null,"author":{"id":1,"user_id":1,"created_at":"2023-05-03T14:30:55.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-05-11T07:18:20.000000Z","title":"Editor-In-Chief","slug":"aaron-s-editor-in-chief","description":"<p>Having completed a Master&rsquo;s degree on Economics, Politics &amp; Culture for the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers with a comparative analysis of the differences between US&rsquo; Western and Japan&rsquo;s Collective forms of capitalism, 1945-2020.<\/p>\n<p>With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He&rsquo;s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain &amp; Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.<\/p>","user":{"id":1,"first_name":"Aaron","last_name":"S.","email":"aaron@bitdegree.org","email_sanitized":"aaron@bitdegree.org","email_verified_at":"2023-12-01T09:40:20.000000Z","must_verify_email":false,"is_registered_with_wallet":false,"status":"active","country":"LT","last_connected_ip":"88.119.132.125","image_id":2641,"referral_token":"05TMu2NysXOCn525","referred_by":null,"created_at":"2023-05-03T14:30:55.000000Z","updated_at":"2024-01-09T15:22:21.000000Z","full_name":"Aaron S."}}}" :chapter-list="[{"id":1,"title":"Blockchain","slug":"blockchain","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-blockchain.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/blockchain-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":[{"chapter_id":1,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-blockchain","title":"What is the Blockchain?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":2,"slug":"decentralized-blockchain","title":"Anonymous & Decentralized Blockchains: The Cornerstone of Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":3,"slug":"blockchain-transaction","title":"What is a Blockchain Transaction in Crypto?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":4,"slug":"crypto-fees","title":"The Different Types of Crypto Fees Explained","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":5,"slug":"what-is-bridging-in-crypto","title":"The Key Notion Behind the Concept of Bridging in Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":1,"order":6,"slug":"types-of-blockchains","title":"Different Types of Blockchains: What to Look Out For?","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":2,"title":"Cryptocurrencies","slug":"cryptocurrencies","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-cryptocurrencies.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/cryptocurrencies-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":[{"chapter_id":2,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-a-cryptocurrency","title":"What is a Cryptocurrency?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":2,"order":2,"slug":"how-does-cryptocurrency-work","title":"How Does Cryptocurrency Work?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":2,"order":3,"slug":"is-cryptocurrency-a-good-investment","title":"Is Cryptocurrency a Good Investment? 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Standards","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":3,"order":5,"slug":"how-to-buy-crypto","title":"From Fiat to Crypto: How to Buy Crypto for the First Time","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":3,"order":6,"slug":"fiat-to-crypto","title":"Taking Profits: Turning Crypto Into Fiat","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":3,"order":7,"slug":"how-to-use-crypto","title":"You\u2019ve Got Crypto: What Can You Do With It?","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":4,"title":"Crypto Wallets","slug":"crypto-wallets","updated":false,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-crypto-wallets.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-wallets-101.jpg","rating":80,"sections":[{"chapter_id":4,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-a-crypto-wallet","title":"What is a Crypto 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The Ins and Outs","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":5,"order":3,"slug":"buying-nft","title":"Tips and Tricks of Choosing the Right NFTs","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":5,"order":4,"slug":"how-to-store-nft","title":"How to Store NFTs: Best Practices","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":5,"order":5,"slug":"how-to-create-an-nft","title":"How to Create Your Own NFTs?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":5,"order":6,"slug":"how-to-make-passive-money-with-nft","title":"Making Passive Money with NFTs","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":6,"title":"dApps & Defi","slug":"dapps-and-defi","updated":true,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-dapps.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/dapps-defi-101.jpg","rating":80,"sections":[{"chapter_id":6,"order":1,"slug":"what-are-nfts","title":"What are Non-Fungible Tokens 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Contracts?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":7,"slug":"what-is-a-dao-in-crypto","title":"The Notion of a Decentralized Autonomous Ogranization (DAO)","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":8,"slug":"what-is-staking-in-crypto","title":"What is the Goal of Staking Crypto Assets?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":9,"slug":"what-is-liquidity-pool-in-crypto","title":"What is a Liquidity Pool and How Does It Work?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":10,"slug":"what-is-automated-market-maker","title":"Automated Market Maker: the Cornerstone of the Decentralized Crypto Exchange Industry","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":11,"slug":"what-is-yield-farming-in-crypto","title":"The Main Yield Farming Techniques","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":12,"slug":"what-is-an-oracle-in-crypto","title":"Crypto Oracles: The Link Between Blockchain and Outside World Data","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":13,"slug":"crypto-gambling","title":"The Peculiarities of Decentralized Crypto Gambling","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":6,"order":14,"slug":"what-is-the-metaverse","title":"Metaverse: A New Perception of Reality","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":7,"title":"Trading & Investing","slug":"trading-and-investing","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-crypto-trading.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-trading-101.jpg","rating":80,"sections":[{"chapter_id":7,"order":1,"slug":"where-to-trade-crypto","title":"Where Can You Trade 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Date","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":7,"order":8,"slug":"what-is-fud","title":"What is FUD: How to Use It to Your Advantage While Investing in Crypto?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":7,"order":9,"slug":"investing-in-cryptocurrency","title":"Investing in Cryptocurrency: How to Manage Your Risks?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":7,"order":10,"slug":"what-is-a-rug-pull-in-crypto","title":"What is a Rug Pull in Crypto?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":7,"order":11,"slug":"how-to-avoid-rug-pulls-in-crypto","title":"How to Spot and Avoid Rug Pulls?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":7,"order":12,"slug":"how-to-avoid-crypto-taxes","title":"The Key Legal Techniques of Avoiding Crypto Taxes","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":8,"title":"Crypto Analysis","slug":"crypto-analysis","updated":null,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-crypto-analysis.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-analysis-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":[{"chapter_id":8,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-bullish-and-bearish","title":"Bearish and Bullish Markets: Do They Matter?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":8,"order":2,"slug":"best-technical-analysis-indicators-for-crypto","title":"5 Best Crypto Technical Analysis Indicators You Must Know About","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":8,"order":3,"slug":"what-is-candlesticks","title":"Technical Analysis: What are Candlesticks, Trendlines, and Patterns?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":8,"order":4,"slug":"how-to-track-new-crypto-coins","title":"Crypto Tracking: How to Track Your Favorite Coins & Tokens?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":8,"order":5,"slug":"how-to-research-crypto","title":"Crypto Research Fundamentals & Social Signals: Your Daily Trading Strategy","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":8,"order":46,"slug":"portfolio-diversification-definition","title":"Portfolio Diversification: The Whats, the Whys, and the Hows","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":9,"title":"Mining","slug":"mining","updated":false,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/learn-crypto-mining.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-mining-101.jpg","rating":80,"sections":[{"chapter_id":9,"order":1,"slug":"what-is-crypto-mining","title":"Crypto Mining: What It is and How Does It Work?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":2,"slug":"what-is-a-mining-pool","title":"Mining Pools: Is Collective Mining Better Than Solo Mining?","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":3,"slug":"what-is-staking-crypto","title":"An Advanced Look into What is Staking Crypto","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":4,"slug":"what-is-proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work","title":"Proof-of-Work VS Proof-of-Stake: The Differences That Matter","status":"published","modified_content":null},{"chapter_id":9,"order":5,"slug":"what-is-crypto-mining-rig","title":"Crypto Mining Rig: What It is and How to Build One?","status":"published","modified_content":null}]},{"id":10,"title":"Crypto Terms","updated":false,"chapter":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters\/crypto-101-glossary.jpg","chapter_simple":"crypto\/assets\/crypto-book\/chapters-simple\/crypto-glossary-101.jpg","rating":100,"sections":["A","B","C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J","K","L","M","N","O","P","Q","R","S","T","U","V","W","X","Y","Z"]}]" current-chapter="F" current-section="what-is-fork-software">