Exploring Potential Changes in XRP Ledger Architecture
In a significant development, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has revealed that internal discussions are actively considering a modular overhaul of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The proposed changes include the possibility of implementing Rust as a new programming language, marking a significant architectural shift. Despite the potential modifications, Schwartz assured that users and on-chain data would remain unaffected.
Reviewing a Possible Transition to Rust for XRP Ledger
These insights emerged during a technical briefing, subsequently shared by Crypto Eri on a social media platform on August 2. In this session, Schwartz discussed various proposals under review at Ripple. He acknowledged, “If we were to start fresh, Rust would be the language of choice.” The conversation also explored the potential of modularizing the transaction engine, allowing it to operate within a virtual machine (VM).
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The Current Architecture and Its Challenges
The XRPL currently relies on a monolithic C++ codebase, integrating the consensus engine, transaction processing, client query interface, and overlay protocols into a tightly-knit structure. Schwartz pointed out the inherent technical debt of this design, expressing the desire to achieve greater modularity. The existing architecture complicates the incorporation of alternative transaction engines, particularly due to the imprecise floating-point arithmetic used in the payment engine, which can lead to inconsistent outcomes based on calculation sequences.
Schwartz explained, “Re-specifying the code with a more organized, coherent structure would be beneficial.” However, he assured that such changes would not affect XRP holders or the ledger’s functionality. RippleX’s senior software developer, Mayukha Vadari, clarified, “Transitioning to Rust or adding a secondary Rust client won’t alter the on-chain data. Your XRP remains intact, and XRPL’s core functionalities continue unchanged, despite the language transition in the core protocol.”
A Phased, Modular Approach to Development
Instead of opting for a complete rewrite, Schwartz proposed a gradual, modular approach. This strategy would begin with formally specifying existing components like the payment engine and transaction logic, eventually compartmentalizing them into virtual machines. “Even without perfect specification, isolating quirky code segments and modularizing them into a VM is feasible,” he noted.
Some proposals under consideration have reportedly been submitted by third-party companies, indicating external contributions to XRPL’s future structure. “We’re currently deciding on worthwhile actions and their execution order,” Schwartz disclosed.
Impact on Development Standards and Naming Conventions
The discussions have also prompted community debates around development standards and naming conventions within XRPL’s codebase. Developers, such as @xrp_hodl_r, pointed out the inconsistencies in API output naming conventions, advocating for standardization to lower long-term maintenance costs. Vadari responded by emphasizing the necessity of preserving backward compatibility and developer clarity, explaining that canonical on-chain fields and synthetic ones differ technically. “API versioning is our existing mechanism for addressing this, and additional measures are unnecessary,” she stated.
While no final decisions have been made, Schwartz emphasized that the conversation is no longer hypothetical. “It’s a challenging endeavor, but it would be beneficial overall,” he concluded.
At the time of writing, XRP is valued at $3.00.
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