About Internet Computer (ICP)

Internet Computer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Internet Computer (ICP) and how does it function as a World Computer?


The Internet Computer (ICP) is a decentralized cloud computing platform created by DFINITY Foundation, designed to expand the functionality of the public internet into a compute platform that hosts secure software and services. It functions as a 'World Computer' by providing an environment where developers can deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) at web speed, with unbounded capacity, and reduced costs compared to traditional blockchain systems. The Internet Computer is powered by a network of independent data centers around the world, using advanced cryptography and consensus algorithms to achieve secure, scalable, and uninterrupted operations.




Why is the ICP token considered valuable and what are its primary utilities?


The ICP token is considered valuable due to its integral role in the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) ecosystem. Its primary utilities include: facilitating network governance by allowing token holders to vote on proposals, rewarding users for participating in the network through 'voting rewards,' enabling the payment of transaction fees, and allowing developers to deploy and run smart contracts (canisters) on the Internet Computer blockchain. The token's limited supply and demand across these use cases contribute to its overall value.




How does the Internet Computer differ from traditional blockchain designs and cloud services?


The Internet Computer is designed to extend the functionality of the public Internet so that it can also host backend software, transforming it into a global compute platform. Unlike traditional blockchains that are typically slow, have limited throughput, and are expensive to use, the Internet Computer employs Chain Key Technology for efficient and fast consensus, enabling high transaction throughput and low cost. Furthermore, it differs from cloud services by being fully decentralized, with no reliance on proprietary infrastructure controlled by a single entity, providing a tamper-proof, secure, and scalable environment for dapps and smart contracts that can run with the same efficiency as conventional software.




What is the Network Nervous System (NNS) and how does it govern the Internet Computer blockchain?


The Network Nervous System (NNS) is an advanced, decentralized governance system that manages the Internet Computer blockchain. It is responsible for various network functions such as facilitating upgrades, fixing bugs, and managing economics by adjusting various parameters like the amount of ICP tokens rewarded for participation. Essentially, it acts like the brain of the Internet Computer, enabling it to adapt and evolve over time without the need for hard forks. Token holders can participate in governance by locking their ICP tokens to create neurons, which can then vote on proposals, contributing to the democratic decision-making process that guides the network's operations and future developments.




How do subnet blockchains contribute to the scalability of the Internet Computer?


Subnet blockchains enhance the Internet Computer's scalability by distributing the computational load across multiple subnetworks. Each subnet operates as a part of the larger network, running independent blockchains in parallel that process transactions and smart contracts concurrently, thereby increasing the system's overall capacity and performance.




What is chain key cryptography and how does it benefit the Internet Computer network?


Chain key cryptography is a cryptographic technology used by the Internet Computer network to facilitate consensus, communication, and upgrades without downtime. It utilizes a single public key to secure the network, enabling any device to verify the authenticity of artifacts on the Internet Computer. This simplifies the coordination among different nodes, allowing for a seamless operation of the blockchain. The technology democratizes the Internet Computer, allowing it to rapidly finalize transactions and update the protocol without stopping the service, thereby supporting its scalability, security, and simplicity.




What are 'canister' smart contracts and how do they operate on the Internet Computer?


Canister smart contracts are self-contained computational units on the Internet Computer (IC) that consist of both the code and state of a program. Canisters operate in isolation, providing a secure and scalable environment for code execution. They function as individual software actors that can communicate with each other through message passing, enabling complex decentralized applications. Each canister is given computational resources in the form of 'cycles' that fuel its execution and transactions, similar to gas in Ethereum. Canisters are designed to scale automatically and can serve web content directly to end-users, eliminating the need for traditional web hosting.




What programming languages are used to develop smart contracts on the Internet Computer?


Smart contracts on the Internet Computer are primarily developed using Motoko, a language specifically designed for the platform, and Rust, a popular systems programming language known for its safety and performance.




Who is responsible for the creation of the Internet Computer and what is DFINITY Foundation's role?


The Internet Computer was created by DFINITY, a nonprofit organization based in Zurich, Switzerland. DFINITY Foundation's role is to oversee the research and development of the Internet Computer, aiming to build, promote, and maintain a decentralized and sustainable web infrastructure.




Where can one purchase ICP tokens, and which crypto exchanges offer them?


ICP tokens can be purchased on various cryptocurrency exchanges. Availability can vary based on your region, so check your local exchange listings for ICP tokens.




How are social networks and Web3 services envisioned to change with the advent of the Internet Computer?


With the Internet Computer, social networks and Web3 services are expected to become more decentralized, significantly reducing the reliance on centralized infrastructure and intermediaries. This will empower users with greater control over their data, ensure better privacy, and enable seamless, token-based value exchange within the networks. Additionally, these platforms can benefit from improved security, transparency, and the capability to run directly on the public internet without private servers, potentially lowering operational costs and increasing efficiency.




What unique capabilities does the Internet Computer offer to Web3 development?


The Internet Computer provides a decentralized and scalable cloud infrastructure for Web3 development, enabling developers to create websites, enterprise IT systems, and internet services by installing their code directly on the public internet. It offers unique capabilities such as serverless computing, a reverse gas model that inverts the cost of computation from users to developers, chain key technology for interoperability, and an autonomous software environment that allows for building and hosting secure, tamper-proof applications with tokenized governance.




How does the reverse gas model work on the Internet Computer, and what are its advantages for users?


The reverse gas model on the Internet Computer (IC) inverts the traditional blockchain gas model by charging canister smart contracts for computation and storage instead of users. In this model, developers deposit cycles (a stable form of payment) into their canisters, and these cycles are then consumed as the canister executes operations or stores data. One main advantage for users is that they don't have to hold tokens or spend their own currency on transaction fees, leading to a seamless user experience. It also simplifies developers' tasks by abstracting transaction costs and incentivizes them to write efficient code since their canisters' longevity depends on efficient use of cycles.




What is Internet Identity and how does it enhance blockchain authentication on the Internet Computer?


Internet Identity is an anonymous, blockchain-based authentication system for the Internet Computer that uses a combination of biometrics, hardware-based keys, and multi-factor authentication to enable users to sign in to dapps without traditional usernames and passwords. It enhances authentication by providing a secure, decentralized identity that preserves privacy while simplifying the login process across different services on the Internet Computer platform.