Solana Changelog: Dynamic Base Fees, Compute Cost Updates, and Golana

In the latest episode of the Solana Changelog, hosts Jacob and Colin dive into the exciting developments within the Solana ecosystem. From proposed changes to the fee structure to new programming language support, this week's update showcases Solana's continuous evolution and commitment to improving the developer and user experience.

Solana Sandstorm Hackathon: Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation

The episode kicks off with an announcement about the ongoing Solana Sandstorm Hackathon, sponsored by the Solana Foundation. This community-driven event, organized through Lamport DAO, provides an excellent opportunity for developers to showcase their skills and contribute to the Solana ecosystem.

Jacob enthusiastically encourages participation, stating:

"Totally recommend entering it. We as Solana Foundation are sponsoring it. You can build like local tooling, you can build things for NFTs, DeFi, just go build for it, like push the boundaries of Solana and let's see what some cool projects that we can get out of it."

The hackathon covers a wide range of project categories, including local tooling, NFTs, and DeFi applications. It's a short-term event, ending on January 23rd, 2023, making it an ideal opportunity for developers to quickly ideate, build, and ship their projects.

Colin adds, "I think there's a really great way to get involved with what's happening in the Solana ecosystem and it's not a really long one. It actually ends on the 23rd of January. So just build something, get involved in, yep, ship and then see how it goes."

This hackathon not only fosters innovation but also strengthens the Solana community by bringing together developers from various backgrounds to collaborate and create groundbreaking solutions.

SIMD 3: Proposal for Dynamic Base Fees

The main highlight of this week's changelog is the SIMD 3 proposal, which introduces dynamic base fees to the Solana network. This proposal aims to address network congestion and improve the overall efficiency of transaction processing.

Colin explains the two main components of the SIMD 3 proposal:

1. Changing the base fee calculation: Instead of basing fees on the number of signatures in a transaction, the proposal suggests using the amount of compute units per transaction.

2. Implementing dynamic total fees: This mechanism would adjust the total fee based on the current network load.

The primary goal of these changes is to provide better spam protection and discourage network congestion. Colin notes, "This is some kind of like spam protection or actually just a way to like desensitize people's spamming the network because or at least make you begin to figure out a different optimal way to get your transactions in, I suppose it's just spamming the transactions constantly."

Jacob adds that the SIMD process is generating significant discussion within the community: "There seems to be a lot of discussion on this one and like, how can we make it better? How do we change fees correctly to correctly match what is happening in the network?"

While consensus on the proposal hasn't been reached yet, the ongoing dialogue demonstrates the Solana community's commitment to finding the best solutions for network optimization. Jacob expresses his anticipation for the outcome: "Looking forward to like what this turns into in the long run. I don't know if it'll be accepted at this point in time, it doesn't look like consensus is there yet. But whatever happens at the time of consensus, like it'll be interesting to see it being tested on the network."

Colin encourages listeners to engage with the proposal discussions, regardless of their technical background: "The discussions that are actually very insightful to kind of see how people think about different ways to make the network more stable and kind of like see the different angles of where people are coming from. So definitely worth the read."

GetRecentPrioritizationFees: Improving Transaction Prioritization

One of the significant updates highlighted in this episode is the introduction of the GetRecentPrioritizationFees RPC call. This new feature, originally planned for Solana version 1.15, has been moved up to version 1.14 due to its importance in addressing current network needs.

Jacob explains the purpose of this RPC call:

"So there's an RPC called call get recent prioritization fees, which kind of gives you a estimate of what the recent prioritization fees are so that you can better estimate what your future what prioritization fees are going to be. So what you can do is this call, you can call it, and then you can use it to determine like, okay, what do I think that a good fee amount would be for right now so I can get into the block."

This feature is particularly crucial in the context of recent network activity, where many users have been relying on prioritization fees to ensure their transactions are included in blocks. The GetRecentPrioritizationFees call allows wallets and dApps to integrate prioritization fees more effectively, improving the overall user experience.

Jacob mentions that some projects are already leveraging this new functionality: "Some people are already using it today. Like I believe Jupiter uses this today to basically allow the users to get into blocks easier."

Colin adds that this method has also been incorporated into the Rust client, expanding its accessibility to developers working with Rust: "That method's also been added to the rust client. So if you're building rust clients, you would also have access to that RPC call."

The introduction of GetRecentPrioritizationFees demonstrates Solana's responsiveness to ecosystem needs and its commitment to providing developers with the tools necessary to optimize their applications' performance on the network.

Compute Cost Updates: Fine-tuning Resource Allocation

Another important update discussed in the changelog is the adjustment of compute costs within the Solana network. Colin explains that the initial estimates for compute costs were slightly incorrect, leading to this update:

"Another commit highlight is the update to compute costs, because the way it was initially estimated was slightly incorrect. So now they fix that. So as a result, the cost estimates have been adjusted upward but just very slightly."

Jacob clarifies that these changes specifically affect the curve25519 syscalls: "Do note that this was on the curve 25519 syscalls. So it's not across the board, but specifically to curve 25519."

While the impact of these changes may be minimal for most users, it's an important update for developers to be aware of when optimizing their applications for the Solana network. This fine-tuning of resource allocation demonstrates Solana's ongoing commitment to maintaining an efficient and accurate pricing model for network resources.

Runtime Mismatch Resolution: A Testament to Solana's Robustness

Jacob brings attention to a recent incident that showcased the strength of Solana's development and deployment processes. A runtime mismatch occurred between versions 1.13 and 1.14 on the mainnet beta, affecting approximately 9% of validators.

He explains the situation and its resolution:

"There was a kind of a mismatch in runtime for 1.14. A bunch of people, I think like 9% of people or validators were deployed with 1.14 on main at beta. However, the basically what's great is it was caught in regression almost. It's like the normal user didn't even notice the network changed a little bit. Actually, I didn't nobody really noticed it other than the core engineers."

The issue was quickly identified and resolved without any noticeable impact on network users. Jacob emphasizes the significance of this incident as a demonstration of Solana's robust testing and deployment procedures:

"Thankfully, we were doing proper rollout of 1.14. So it was caught. It would didn't affect the network and it's been fixed. So really cool. Basically, it was a really great example of good testing and being able to catch problems before they actually cause issues."

This incident underscores the importance of thorough testing and gradual rollout strategies in maintaining network stability. It also highlights the dedication and quick response of Solana's core engineering team in addressing potential issues before they can impact the broader ecosystem.

Golana: Expanding Solana's Programming Language Support

One of the most exciting announcements in this changelog is the introduction of Golana, a new way to build smart contracts on Solana using the Go programming language. This development significantly expands the accessibility of Solana development to a broader range of programmers.

Colin expresses his enthusiasm for this addition:

"As the name suggests, it's a way to build smart contacts on Solana in the Go programming language. I think this is something that's very exciting because I think the more languages that we can support and offer, it kind of just begins to attract more developers into the ecosystem."

The introduction of Golana adds Go to the list of supported languages for Solana development, which already includes Rust and Python. Colin also mentions that TypeScript support is in the works, further expanding the language options for developers.

This multi-language approach is a strategic move to attract a diverse range of developers to the Solana ecosystem. By lowering the barrier to entry and allowing developers to work with familiar languages, Solana is positioning itself as an inclusive and developer-friendly blockchain platform.

Jacob notes that while Golana is still in its alpha stages and doesn't yet support all features, it's already showing promising capabilities:

"Do note that Golan is still in like alpha sages. So it can't do everything yet. But it's really cool. It's really cool that what you can do with it. I think the the maintainer built like Hello World and an escrow program. So you can test those out in a little bit more."

The open-source nature of Golana allows for community contributions and improvements, which aligns with Solana's collaborative approach to ecosystem development. Colin encourages Go developers in the Solana community to explore Golana and provide feedback:

"If you are a Go developer in Solana, please go check that out. And as always, everything is open source. So you can kind of give feedback and comments and suggest different improvements to it."

Solana Stack Exchange: Fostering Community Knowledge Sharing

At the end of the changelog, Colin gives a shout-out to John C, who earned the most reputation on the Solana Stack Exchange for the week. This acknowledgment highlights the importance of community-driven knowledge sharing and problem-solving within the Solana ecosystem.

The Solana Stack Exchange serves as a valuable resource for developers, allowing them to ask questions, share insights, and collaboratively tackle challenges. By recognizing active contributors like John C, the Solana team encourages continued participation and the growth of this knowledge base.

Colin's closing remark, "Looking forward to see who else is going to dethrone him for next week," adds a friendly competitive element, potentially motivating more community members to actively engage in the Stack Exchange platform.

Conclusion: Solana's Continuous Evolution

This week's Solana Changelog showcases the platform's commitment to innovation, developer support, and community engagement. From the proposed dynamic base fees to the introduction of Golana, these updates demonstrate Solana's responsiveness to ecosystem needs and its dedication to improving the blockchain experience for both developers and users.

The ongoing Solana Sandstorm Hackathon provides an excellent opportunity for developers to contribute to this evolving ecosystem, while updates like the GetRecentPrioritizationFees RPC call and compute cost adjustments reflect Solana's attention to detail in optimizing network performance.

As Solana continues to expand its language support and refine its core protocols, it's clear that the platform is positioning itself as a leading blockchain solution, capable of adapting to the diverse and growing needs of the decentralized application landscape.

The robust testing procedures that caught and resolved the runtime mismatch issue without user impact further reinforce confidence in Solana's stability and the team's ability to manage a complex, high-performance blockchain network.

With these developments and the active community participation evident in platforms like the Solana Stack Exchange, the future looks bright for Solana and its ecosystem. As the platform continues to evolve and attract more developers, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions and improvements in the coming weeks and months.

Facts + Figures

• The Solana Sandstorm Hackathon is currently ongoing, sponsored by the Solana Foundation and organized through Lamport DAO.
• The hackathon ends on January 23rd, 2023, focusing on local tooling, NFTs, and DeFi applications.
• SIMD 3 proposal introduces dynamic base fees to the Solana network, aiming to address network congestion and improve transaction processing efficiency.
• The proposal suggests changing the base fee calculation from signature-based to compute unit-based.
• SIMD 3 also proposes implementing dynamic total fees based on current network load.
• The GetRecentPrioritizationFees RPC call has been moved from Solana version 1.15 to 1.14 due to its importance in addressing current network needs.
• Jupiter is already using the GetRecentPrioritizationFees call to help users get transactions into blocks more easily.
• Compute costs have been slightly adjusted upward, specifically for curve25519 syscalls.
• A runtime mismatch between versions 1.13 and 1.14 affected approximately 9% of validators but was quickly resolved without noticeable impact on users.
• Golana, a new way to build smart contracts on Solana using the Go programming language, has been introduced in alpha stage.
• Golana currently supports basic functionalities like Hello World and an escrow program.
• Solana now supports smart contract development in Rust, Python, and Go, with TypeScript support in development.
• John C earned the most reputation on the Solana Stack Exchange for the week, highlighting active community participation in knowledge sharing.

Questions Answered

What is the Solana Sandstorm Hackathon?

The Solana Sandstorm Hackathon is a community-driven event sponsored by the Solana Foundation and organized through Lamport DAO. It provides an opportunity for developers to build and showcase projects in various categories including local tooling, NFTs, and DeFi applications. The hackathon is designed to push the boundaries of what's possible on Solana and runs for a short period, ending on January 23rd, 2023.

What changes does the SIMD 3 proposal introduce to Solana's fee structure?

The SIMD 3 proposal introduces two main changes to Solana's fee structure. First, it suggests changing the base fee calculation from being based on the number of signatures in a transaction to being based on the amount of compute units per transaction. Second, it proposes implementing dynamic total fees that adjust based on the current network load. These changes aim to provide better spam protection and discourage network congestion by making users reconsider how they optimize their transactions.

What is the GetRecentPrioritizationFees RPC call and why is it important?

The GetRecentPrioritizationFees RPC call is a new feature that provides an estimate of recent prioritization fees, allowing users and applications to better determine appropriate fee amounts for their transactions. This call is important because it helps wallets and dApps integrate prioritization fees more effectively, improving the chances of transactions being included in blocks during periods of high network activity. The feature has been moved up from Solana version 1.15 to 1.14 due to its significance in addressing current network needs.

How has Solana expanded its programming language support?

Solana has expanded its programming language support with the introduction of Golana, which allows developers to build smart contracts using the Go programming language. This addition complements the existing support for Rust and Python, with TypeScript support also in development. While Golana is still in alpha stages and doesn't support all features yet, it already allows for basic functionalities like creating a Hello World program and an escrow program. This multi-language approach aims to attract a more diverse range of developers to the Solana ecosystem.

How did Solana handle the recent runtime mismatch between versions 1.13 and 1.14?

Solana demonstrated its robust testing and deployment procedures when handling a recent runtime mismatch between versions 1.13 and 1.14 on the mainnet beta. The issue, which affected about 9% of validators, was quickly identified and resolved without any noticeable impact on network users. This incident showcased Solana's ability to catch and address potential problems through proper rollout strategies and thorough testing, ensuring network stability and reliability.

What updates were made to compute costs in Solana?

Solana recently adjusted its compute costs due to a slight inaccuracy in the initial estimates. The cost estimates were adjusted upward, but the change was minimal and might not be noticeable to most users. Importantly, these adjustments specifically affected the curve25519 syscalls, rather than being a network-wide change. This update demonstrates Solana's commitment to maintaining an accurate and efficient pricing model for network resources.

How does the Solana Stack Exchange contribute to the ecosystem?

The Solana Stack Exchange is a platform that fosters community-driven knowledge sharing and problem-solving within the Solana ecosystem. It serves as a valuable resource for developers to ask questions, share insights, and collaboratively tackle challenges. The platform encourages active participation through reputation points, as highlighted by the recognition of John C for earning the most reputation in a week. This system helps grow the knowledge base and supports developers in building on Solana.

What is the significance of Solana's multi-language support strategy?

Solana's strategy to support multiple programming languages, including Rust, Python, Go, and soon TypeScript, is significant because it lowers the barrier to entry for developers from various backgrounds. This approach allows developers to work with familiar languages when building on Solana, potentially attracting a more diverse range of talent to the ecosystem. By being inclusive and developer-friendly, Solana positions itself to benefit from a wider pool of ideas and innovations, potentially accelerating the growth and adoption of the platform.