Ethereum: What happens if “transaction size” is larger than “maximum block size”?

Understanding Ethereum Transaction Limits: What Happens When the “Transaction Size” Exceeds the “Maximum Block Size”?

In the realm of blockchain technology, transactions play a crucial role in facilitating secure and efficient peer-to-peer interactions. However, with great power comes great complexity, and one of those complexities is the limit placed on transaction size in Ethereum. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what happens when a transaction size exceeds the maximum block size.

The Basics: Transaction Size vs. Maximum Block Size

In Ethereum, transactions are structured as blocks that contain multiple transactions (e.g., “from” and “to” addresses). The total size of these transactions is referred to as the “transaction size.” The “maximum block size” is the total size of all transactions in a block that can be included in a single block. This limit determines how many transactions can be stored within the block.

The Problem: When Transaction Size Exceeds the Maximum Block Size

Let’s consider an example to illustrate this concept. Suppose we have a transaction with a “transaction size” of 1 megabyte (T = 1024 kilobytes or 1 MB). If we try to add another transaction that exceeds the block size limit, it will be split into two smaller parts.

The first part will contain only the information needed for the second transaction and will store it in a separate memory pool. The second part will be stored within the same block as the original transaction. This is known as a “split” or “fragment” of an existing transaction.

Here is an example to illustrate this:

Transaction 1:

• Size: 1024 KB (1 MB)

• Data: from: address A, to: address B

Split transaction 2:

• Size: 2048 KB (2 MB)

• Data: from: address C, to: address D

+ Transaction 1 data is stored here

Transaction 2 remains intact and still contains all necessary information. The two transactions are now part of the same block, and transaction 1 is split into two smaller parts.

Additional Considerations

There are additional considerations to keep in mind when working with larger than average transaction sizes:

• Node Limitations

  : Some Ethereum nodes may have limitations on the amount of memory they can use. If a transaction is too large and exceeds these limits, it may not be stored or may require external processing.

• Gas Costs: Large transactions incur higher gas costs, which can result in higher fees for users.

• Network Congestion: Splitting larger than average transactions within the same block can increase network congestion.

In conclusion, when a transaction size exceeds the maximum block size on Ethereum, it will be split into two smaller parts and stored separately from the original transaction. This allows for efficient storage and processing while maintaining the integrity of each individual transaction. However, users should be aware of these limitations to avoid increased costs or network congestion.