Solana: The addresses search table is not compressing addresses as expected
A recent transaction in the Solana block chain has highlighted a problem with the addresses search table, which is a critical component of the decentralized finance ecosystem (DEFI) of the network. The problem arises when a user tries to see their own address at the Solana explorer.
The transaction
On December 2, a developer shared a transaction in Solana Blockchain Explorer, Explorer.soolana.com, which showed a problem with the search addresses table. Specifically, the transaction meant sending a transaction with the following details:
* Transaction ID : 5FVQJXFOFFEBGMWQHH618KZCNSHCMFDVY4XWNJBSSDYFNEQWPJ9R1FZSWRCCYKKSUDT4ZG3YAZEDVMAWHSPT2X
* Cluster : Devnet
The problem
When reviewing the transaction, it became clear that the search addresses table was not compressing addresses as expected. In Solana, addresses are generally represented in a specific format that includes a sum of verification of the entire direction, which is used to validate the authenticity and integrity of the transaction. However, when this sum of verification is calculated for an address, it does not always coincide with the original address.
The problem
The problem arises from the fact that the search addresses use a simple hash function to calculate the sum of verification of each address. While this approach may seem sufficient in many cases, it is not robust enough to handle certain types of directions or edge cases. Specifically:
* Single character directions : When a single character’s address is used (for example, ABC), the search addresses table does not correctly calculate the sum of verification.
* Address extensions : SOME SOLANA DIRECTIONS have extensions that require additional data, which can be lost when calculating the sum of verification.
Conclusion
The problem with the addiction search table in Solana is important to highlight. While blockchain design has many strengths, its dependence on a simple hash function to calculate verification sums can lead to errors and inconsistencies in certain cases. Developers and users should know this potential problem when they work with addresses in the Solana network.
Recommendations
To mitigate this problem, it is recommended that developers:
- Use more robust management formats, such as addresses or multi-host addresses with extensions.
- Implement additional checks to verify the integrity of the address before using it for transactions.
In addition, users must be cautious when working with addresses in the Solana Red and consider seeking help from experienced developers or Solana experts if they find any problem related to addresses.