What is a hard fork

[winderx]

i hear this term often too, i guess its like an update of version like computer ?

[ishinn99]

A hard fork is a loosening of BTC's consensus rules (such as the block size in the case of Bitcoin Cash and SegWit2x) which results in a chain split. 

This will be two separate blockchains, which will both share the same history until the time of the split.  After the split happens, they will continue on different paths.  The chain which loosens the consensus rules (the new chain) will follow their new consensus rules, while the old chain follows the previous consensus rules.

Because the chains share the same history, all users who held coins on the old chain also hold the same number of coins on the new chain.

Nice explanation. Im newbie and dont have any idea about hard fork. Thanks for explaining it. The thing that I dont understand is why they are doing this? Are they not satisfied with the old btc?

[danggoron]

As simply, hardfork is an upgrade. This upgrade for example by raising the capacity of Block Bitcoin for example from 1MB to 10MB. it is done to support the transaction process more and more.

[tyronecoinbit]

i hear this term often too, i guess its like an update of version like computer ?

A hard fork is a software upgrade that introduces a new rule to the network that isn't compatible with the older software. So, those who were still running the old version of the software will see the new transactions as invalid.

[Lei Crypto bounty]

I'm a newbie to crypto world & I think it's a great help to all the newbies if we can make a discussion on hard forks.

Thanks

a hardfork in laymans term basically is an upgrade of the blockchain software that causes a split of chain just like what happened in bitcoincash, on the contrary a soft fork is also an upgrade of the software but it does not split the chain it only enhance the speed of the transaction process.

[pooya87]

I'm a newbie to crypto world & I think it's a great help to all the newbies if we can make a discussion on hard forks.

Thanks

a hardfork in laymans term basically is an upgrade of the blockchain software that causes a split of chain just like what happened in bitcoincash, on the contrary a soft fork is also an upgrade of the software but it does not split the chain it only enhance the speed of the transaction process.

please don't give false information about something you do not understand.
splitting has nothing to do with the fork being hard or soft! splitting will happen only when not-everyone agrees with the fork. a hard fork can be as smooth as a soft fork with enough support and a soft fork can be risky and end up splitting if it has no support.

soft fork also has nothing to do with "speed of transaction process"!

[Lasvista]

The hard fork is split into two to have a new value-added coins again. And you will get it free when you have Bitcoins hold on a supported wallet. You will receive it depending on your holding Bitcoins (1: 1). So far there have been two hard forks and one is happening now. So expect the arrival of your BTG when you hold bitcoins on supported wallets

[fabrizoc]

i hear this term often too, i guess its like an update of version like computer ?

A hard fork is a software upgrade that introduces a new rule to the network that isn't compatible with the older software. So, those who were still running the old version of the software will see the new transactions as invalid.

Yes you have explained very well actually it is used for  introducing the upcoming new rules where there is no compatibility between the new one and older on software’s which help you in knowing the validity of your transactions either these are valid if new one while invalid in case of running the old version of your software.

[greenpips]

Let us use Microsoft Word for example. Microsoft frequently releases new versions of Word. Each version attempts to be backwards compatible and retain the ability to read and edit older documents. However, often older versions of Word have great difficulty in reading documents created in one of the newer versions. So if you create a document in Word 2007 and your buddy edits and saves it in Word 2013, you may have problems reading it. Despite the assumption that its going to be the same document, you two have created a fork in your document.

[Shreek]

I think the problem about hard fork is often discussed, and also often asked. but no problem, I will explain a little. hard fork is the work done by the developer of a cryptocurrency to secure the crypto network so that it can adapt to more and more users. by creating a new app, so users need to update it. otherwise the coin transaction will not work properly.

[foxbat]

I also want to know what is hard fork, listen to your explanation or do not understand

There are many explanations, if we sum them up, you will get the most accurate answer, here, we learn from each other, sharing knowledge is a necessity.

[prehisto]

There are several good explanation here what is hard fork.
But I think that it is important to note that they do not happen just because they can and someone wants.

Forks is attempt to upgrade chain. Upgrade means to change it in such way that it benefits the chain.
In case of BTC there has been a lot of talk about how slow and expensive the transaction are thus the need for change.

But the fork is dependent on community, community has to decide if it will happen, the most say so is given to those who has the most mining power.

I hope that I did describe it accurately enough to help with understanding.