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Snapshot

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The term "snapshot" refers to the ability to capture the state of a computer system or storage device at a specific point in time. It also involves documenting the status of a blockchain at a particular block height.

Fundamentally, snapshots are utilized to record the quantity and balances of token holders, and they are widely employed in production. When creating a backup, the system typically initiates with a snapshot, as full backups are considerably more time-consuming, ranging from a few hours to an entire day due to the system resources they require.

It's important to note that snapshots are not exact replicas of the data stored on a person's hard drive. Instead, they primarily comprise metadata describing the current state of the data, and they can only be stored on the local server or device that generated them.

In contrast, snapshots can be generated as frequently as needed and in a matter of seconds. Deduplication of the data being snapshotted is also achievable using various technologies.

Taking a storage snapshot or a snapshot can be likened to taking a photograph of a server's information at a specific moment.

Snapshots, when not managed appropriately, can lead to complex data chains and prolonged consolidation times and are intended to be retained for a limited duration.

Snapshot functionality plays a crucial role during blockchain hard forks, as it marks the block height at which the main chain will be captured before the launch of a new chain. For instance, during the Bitcoin Cash hard fork, every blockchain address holding Bitcoins at block 478,558 had their balances replicated on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain, as both blockchains retained the same historical data up to the point of the fork.

Furthermore, snapshots facilitate the creation of numerous data clones, allowing individuals to engage in development activities without disrupting their regular operations. Workflows can be tested, iterated, and automated without necessitating additional storage space. Additionally, in the event of an error, rolling the server back to a previous version is possible as a swift fail-safe measure.

In the context of crypto airdrop events, snapshots are routinely taken before each round of an airdrop event. Tokens are distributed based on the balance of each blockchain address captured during the snapshot. After the snapshot is taken, users can often transfer their tokens without compromising their eligibility for that round of distribution.

In cryptocurrency, a snapshot entails recording the state of the entire blockchain ledger at a specific block height, encompassing all current addresses and their associated data.

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