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Replace data availability w/ retrievability (#5344)
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* replaced that availability with retrievability

* fixed terminology
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filippoweb3 authored Nov 5, 2023
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Showing 1 changed file with 16 additions and 3 deletions.
19 changes: 16 additions & 3 deletions docs/general/web3-and-polkadot.md
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Expand Up @@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ So, with blockchain as a means of storing data and transactions permanently with
modify them, we can ensure what we cryptographically sign with our digital identity is set in stone
digitally.

## Data Availability
## Data Retrievability

But what if our data are stored in a blockchain, but that blockchain is run on a centralized server
or by different computers belonging to the same operator?
Expand All @@ -101,14 +101,27 @@ or from the outside by regulatory rules and other forces. Though blockchain offe
there would be little sense in using a centralized blockchain to prove ownership as it can possibly
cease to exist in the future.

Data availability is dependent on how resilient the blockchain is. Resiliency is achieved through
Data retrievability is dependent on how resilient the blockchain is. Resiliency is achieved through
elements such as decentralization, economic incentives, and on-chain governance to ensure the
network can sustain on its own.

:::info Data Retrievability vs. Data Availability

Data **retrievability** is the ability of nodes to retrieve historical information from the
blockchain. Historical data is not needed to verify new blocks; it is only required for synching
full nodes from the Genesis block or serving specific historical requests.

Data **availability** assures full nodes can access and verify the full transactions associated with
a specific block. It does not necessarily imply that the data is accessible forever. For more
information about data availability on Polkadot, see the
[dedicated section on the parachain protocol page](../learn/learn-parachains-protocol.md#availability-and-validity-anv-protocol).

:::

### Decentralization

Having multiple nodes belonging to numerous independent identities increases network resiliency and
thus data availability.
thus data retrievability.

Blockchain is a state machine, and consensus must be achieved on every single state transition by
every node on the blockchain network. In Proof of Work (PoW) based blockchains, which let any node
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