How do I run a blockchain consensus simulation with Casper CBC?

Use make run-blockchain for standard simulations or python casper.py --protocol blockchain with options like --validators and --msg-mode, as detailed in the README's run simulations section.

Casper CBC vs Raft: which is better for academic research?

Casper CBC focuses on correct-by-construction protocols with formal verification and visual simulations, ideal for deep consensus theory, while Raft is more practical and widely used for teaching distributed systems basics.

What safety guarantees does Casper CBC provide?

It implements protocols designed to be provably safe and fault-tolerant from the ground up, based on formal verification principles, though specific guarantees vary by protocol like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

How to customize validator count in Casper CBC simulations?

Set the --validators parameter in command-line runs or adjust it in config.ini, allowing simulations with varying numbers of participants for testing scalability and fault tolerance.

Is Casper CBC production-ready for blockchain networks?

No, it's a research and simulation platform; for production, consider more mature consensus engines like those in Ethereum 2.0, as Casper CBC lacks stability and optimization for live deployments.

How to generate GIFs of consensus execution in Casper CBC?

Run simulations with --save true or use default settings to save visualizations in graphs/graph_num_0/, where GIFs are automatically created from the graph images.

Code Repository — Correct-by-Construction Consensus

What is Code Repository?

Casper CBC is a Python implementation of correct-by-construction consensus protocols, which are designed with formal verification to ensure safety and fault tolerance. It provides simulations for protocols like Casper the Friendly Ghost, enabling researchers and developers to study and experiment with decentralized agreement mechanisms. The project focuses on provably secure consensus for blockchain and other distributed systems.

Target Audience

Blockchain researchers, distributed systems engineers, and protocol developers interested in formal methods and consensus algorithm design.

Value Proposition

It offers a research-grade, extensible framework for simulating and analyzing correct-by-construction consensus protocols with visualizations, unique for its emphasis on provable safety and modular implementation.

Overview

Casper CBC is a Python implementation of a class of correct-by-construction (CBC) consensus protocols, which are designed to be provably safe and fault-tolerant from the ground up. It currently includes implementations for Casper the Friendly Ghost (a blockchain consensus protocol) and Casper the Friendly Binary Consensus Protocol, serving as a research and simulation platform for novel consensus mechanisms.

Key Features

Correct-by-Construction Design — Protocols are built with formal verification principles to ensure safety and liveness properties.
Multiple Protocol Support — Implements consensus for different data structures including binary, blockchain, integer, order, and sharding.
Configurable Simulations — Run simulations with various message-passing modes (rand, rrob, full) and customizable parameters like validator count and rounds.
Visualization Tools — Generates graphs and GIFs to visualize consensus protocol execution and validator behavior.
Extensible Framework — Provides a foundation for writing new simulations and experimenting with consensus algorithms.

Philosophy

The project emphasizes a formal, research-driven approach to consensus, prioritizing provable correctness and modular design to advance the understanding and development of decentralized agreement protocols.

Code Repository

What is Code Repository?

Overview

Key Features

Philosophy

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