IBD Booster -- Speeding up IBD with pre-generated hints (PoC)

The discussion revolves around the comparison between two methods aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Initial Block Download (IBD) processes in blockchain systems: IBD booster and assumeutxo. The IBD booster method is acknowledged for its significant speedup in download times, approximately 2.24 times faster than traditional methods. This approach relies on external metadata or "hints" generated from a fully synced node to guide the validation process, necessitating changes in critical parts of the validation code.

On the other hand, the assumeutxo strategy offers an even more substantial improvement in synchronization speeds by truncating the IBD to only cover the history between a predefined snapshot base and the current network tip. Unlike the IBD booster's reliance on trusted metadata, assumeutxo employs snapshots that are integrated into the source code with their hashes, providing a different layer of reliability and security.

The conversation suggests a preference for further development and integration of the assumeutxo method, particularly in making it more user-friendly and accessible through graphical user interfaces (GUIs). This perspective is based on the potential for a greater degree of speedup and the inherent trust and security advantages associated with directly including snapshot hashes in the codebase. The dialogue underscores the importance of optimizing blockchain synchronization processes and debates the most effective strategies for achieving these improvements, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the trade-offs between speed, trust, and code complexity.