About EOS Resources
EOS guide for beginners
Recently, you might experience some transaction issues because of lack of CPU. As you experienced, the resources such as CPU are essential factors in using the service on EOS blockchain. So, understanding each resource will help you to use various services on EOS.
If you read the last post ‘What is STAKE on EOS’, you already know that there are three kinds of EOS resources, CPU, Network, and RAM. Let’s take a look at them in detail.
CPU
CPU is used for processing(calculating) operations such as transaction. As you stake more EOS, you can calculate more operations. In other words, the CPU is the available time for processing(calculating) operation.
Network
Network is a word that often used in our daily life. Network is for executing transactions. It is measured as the average amount of network consumption over the last three days. As you stake more EOS, you can use more network.
In summary, you use CPU for processing the information, use Network for executing transaction and recording the information in EOS blockchain. It is not that complicated, is it?
Can I continuously use CPU and Network at any time?
EOS automatically calculates the computational power(CPU and Network) that you can use based on the total computational power of the BPs. Once the transaction is completed, the amount of available CPU and Network reduce, and after a certain period of time, it recovers back.
However, the amount of available CPU and network resources may change depending on the mainnet’s traffic status which means that when a lot of people use the EOS blockchain in a short period of time, available CPU and Network will decrease, vice versa. Referring to this point, please stake enough to your resources to use any service conveniently at any time.
RAM
In EOS, RAM is different from the RAM used on your computer. RAM is a storage for data related to account information such as keys, balance, contract status etc.
RAM is consumed for following actions:
1. Creating an account
2. Transferring tokens (First time only)
3. Voting
4. Airgrab
etc
Development scope of EOS ecosystem is not limited, so the function that requires RAM may also be more varied.
What is the difference between RAM and CPU&Network?
Both RAM and CPU&Network are exchanged with EOS but the way to exchange is different. You can get RAM by purchasing in the market but you can get CPU&Network through the resource rental system. Let’s check what aspects make these resources different.
- You cannot only buy the RAM but also sell it. Buy and sell are available in the RAM market.
- You cannot lend your RAM. You can only use RAM within your account. On the other hand, CPU and Network can be leased.
- RAM is consumed as much as you use it and the used RAM does not recover. After using CPU and Network, used CPU and Networks restore after a certain time, but since RAM is a concept of buying storing unit, as it is consumed, does not restore.
Where can I buy RAM? RAM Market
RAM is provided by BP’s server. You can buy RAM at RAM Market built-on the EOS.IO contract system. RAM price is determined by the supply and demand, and you can purchase RAM at market prices.. (However, the RAM that is traded on other exchanges is not a direct purchase method but a proxy purchase method.) There is also a 0.5% commission on the RAM trade.
What is good when RAM is put into the market economy?
RAM is different from other resources; RAM is distributed based on the market economy. The price will be adjusted flexibly according to the market situation, so resources will be distributed efficiently. Because prices are barriers to entry, mass production of low-quality DApps is prevented and good quality DApps will be able to make better use of resources.
RAM is a resource for developers.
Should I buy it in advance when the RAM is cheap? You can ask the question, but generally, users with only simple transactions do not have a problem even if they have about 8Kbytes of RAM, which is the default value provided when your account is created. When the RAM market launched, RAM was considered as a resource with a great future value; therefore, the price has skyrocketed. Fortunately, for now, it seems that the supply policy is holding the price. In fact, RAM is a resource for DApps rather than a resource for individuals. Because they require much larger account information storage space to run services in EOS blockchain. If you think about the airdrop, you’ll understand that DApp needs a lot more RAM than general users and that’s why the concept of airgrab came out.
RAM is an essential resource for using EOS, but its value is so flexible that various issues might be emerging in the future. It is OK to see the RAM market as an investment opportunity, but I recommend you to approach it with a longer-term perspective!
RAM Market is available in NOVA Wallet!
Please check this announcement→ RAM market now available in NOVA Wallet
