Ripple is seriously considering a major upgrade to the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This could be the biggest change to its architecture ever!
Rust and Modular Design
The main idea is to rebuild parts of the XRPL using the programming language Rust. This would involve breaking down the current, large codebase (written in C++) into smaller, more manageable modules. Think of it like taking apart a complicated machine and rebuilding it with better, more organized parts.
Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, confirmed these discussions are happening. He mentioned the current system has some “technical debt,” meaning there are areas that could be improved. One major issue is the payment engine, which uses a method of calculation that can lead to inconsistent results.
What This Means (and Doesn’t Mean) for Users
Importantly, Schwartz emphasized that this potential overhaul wouldn’t affect users or their XRP. Your XRP would be safe, and the ledger’s functionality would remain the same. It’s just a behind-the-scenes upgrade to improve the system’s efficiency and maintainability.
A Phased Approach
Instead of a complete rewrite, Ripple is looking at a gradual, modular approach. This would involve:
- Clearly defining how each part of the system works.
- Separating these parts into independent modules, like putting each part of the machine in its own box.
This makes it easier to update and improve individual parts without affecting the whole system.
Community Involvement and Future Plans
Third-party companies have also submitted proposals, showing that this isn’t just an internal project. The community is also involved, discussing things like better naming conventions within the code to make it easier to maintain in the long run. While no final decisions have been made, it’s clear that Ripple is actively exploring these options to make the XRP Ledger even better. It won’t be easy, but the potential benefits are significant.
(Note: The price of XRP at the time of writing was $3.00.)/p>