Polkadot, a blockchain network focused on interoperability, has released the Join-Accumulate Machine (JAM) Chain. This upgrade is a new solution for scalability and performance. Polkadot is always pushing the limits of what’s possible.

What is the JAM Chain?

The Join-Accumulate Machine (JAM) will replace Polkadot’s relay chain with a more robust and efficient one. JAM Chain has two main functions: Join and Accumulate. These are on-chain. Two other processes, Collect and Refine, are off-chain.

The reason for JAM as a single upgrade is to simplify and optimize the blockchain. Unlike iterative updates that can introduce many small changes over time, a single upgrade allows for a more controlled and efficient transition. Less disruption and complexity.

JAM Technical Details

JAM is a Rollup Chain, focused on rollups and aggregating computation outputs from multiple sources into a shared state. A domain specific chain on top of Polkadot’s existing infrastructure.

A key feature of JAM is permissionless code execution. Anyone can deploy and run code on the JAM Chain without needing to ask anyone for permission. The JAM Chain state is divided into encapsulations called services which include code, balance and some state components. This is similar to a smart contract chain so creating new services is permissionless.

Another important point is that JAM has no traditional transactions. Instead it uses a two stage processing model where inputs go through a Refine stage before being added to the chain state through the Accumulate function. Extrinsic information types like Guarantees, Assurances, Judgments, Preimages and Tickets are critical to JAM Chain’s security and functionality.

JAM Core Functions

The JAM Chain has three main functions: Refine, Accumulate and OnTransfer.

The Refine, Accumulate and OnTransfer functions of the JAM Chain. Ref: https://wiki.polkadot.network/docs/learn-jam-chain

The first function is called Refine. It performs stateless computation and transforms input data into work reports. A work package can contain multiple work items that are processed to produce refined outputs.

The second function is Accumulate and this function adds the outputs from Refine to the chain state. It is stateful and can read and write to the chain’s storage, manage funds and modify state. The third function is OnTransfer, and this function allows services to communicate asynchronously and send and process messages and tokens.

JAM Chain’s security model is a two stage processing model where work items are refined into work results and then accumulated into the service’s state. So the outputs are what the transformations intended.

Scalability and Performance

One of the main goals of the JAM Chain is to scale and perform. JAM uses multi-core computation and parallel processing to handle multiple chains and programs at once. This increases the network’s throughput and efficiency.

JAM also has smart contracts and zero-knowledge rollups (ZK-rollups) built in. This adds more functionality and scalability so you can have more complex and secure applications. The pipeline processing of blocks also optimizes performance by using the full block time for calculations.

The SAFROLE algorithm, a SNARK-based block production mechanism, increases anonymity and minimizes forking. This makes block production more secure and efficient.

With 852 MB/s of distributed availability, JAM outperforms other blockchain networks. In comparison, Solana with the Firedancer client is 125 MB/s, and Ethereum is 1.3 MB/s with Danksharding. JAM can handle up to 341 cores aggregated and process 500-5,000 EVM gas/µs and 4,000 reads per second per core.

JAM vs Polkadot Relay Chain

JAM is more flexible and abstract than the Polkadot relay chain. Its service model allows for many applications and optimisations, so you can use underlying components as needed.

JAM’s fixed parameters allow for targeted optimisations of the network topology and timing, whereas the relay chain is highly upgradable which can make optimisations hard. This design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and efficiency over continuous upgrades.

Developer Incentives and Support

To support JAM the Web3 Foundation has launched a $65 million prize pool. This incentive is to encourage developers to build multiple implementations of the JAM protocol and increase the overall functionality and security of the network.

JAM Implementer’s Prize participants must meet certain milestones such as importing and producing blocks, performance standards and security audits. This will encourage innovation and a decentralized network that can do many computational tasks.

The JAM Toaster is a robust testing environment that plays a big part in this. It simulates a full JAM network with over 1,000 nodes so you can do large scale testing and performance testing. This infrastructure allows you to optimize your implementation and have a smooth running final network.

Future and Industry Response

The JAM Chain has big implications for existing parachains and new applications. JAM provides a more flexible and scalable infrastructure for blockchain.

From EthPrague where industry leaders like Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood talked about the future of blockchain, we see that JAM is key to moving the space forward. They mentioned that JAM will drive innovation and scalability of the blockchain.

JAM’s ability to plug into existing parachains and support new applications puts Polkadot at the forefront of blockchain. Multi-core processing, smart contracts, ZK-rollups and a transactionless environment is a big step forward for blockchain.

Conclusion

The JAM Chain is a big step forward for blockchain scalability and performance. A more flexible and efficient system solves many of the problems of the relay chain and opens up new possibilities for blockchain development.

For devs and stakeholders, it’s a chance to get in on the bleeding edge of a technology that will change the face of blockchain networks. Watch this space as JAM rolls out.