Transaction execution

Transaction execution in GenLayer is the process that starts after eth_sendRawTransaction receives and verifies a transaction, stores it with a PENDING status, and returns its hash as the RPC response. At that point, the transaction has been validated for authenticity and format, but it has not yet been executed; it enters the GenLayer consensus mechanism, where the network's validators pick it up for execution according to the consensus rules.

As the transaction progresses through stages such as proposing, committing, and revealing, its status is updated accordingly. Users can query the current status and output of the transaction by calling the eth_getTransactionByHash method on the RPC server, which retrieves the transaction's details based on its unique hash. This method lets users track the transaction's journey from submission to finalization, providing transparency and helping them monitor transaction outcomes in real time.

Transaction Status Transitions

In the journey of a transaction within the GenLayer protocol, it begins its life when an Externally Owned Account (EOA) submits it, entering the Pending state. Here, it awaits further processing unless it encounters an OutOfFee state due to insufficient fees. If the fees are topped up, it returns to Pending. Alternatively, the user can cancel the transaction, moving it to the Canceled state.

From Pending, the transaction progresses to the Proposing stage, where a leader is selected to propose a receipt. Upon successful proposal, it advances to the Committing stage, where all validators must commit to the transaction. If all validators commit, the transaction moves to the Revealing stage.

In the Revealing stage, the transaction's fate is determined. If a majority agrees, it is Accepted. However, if there is no majority agreement, it returns to Proposing. If all leaders are rotated without agreement, it becomes Undetermined. In cases of disagreement, a successful appeal can revert it to Pending, while a failed appeal results in Accepted.

Once Accepted, the transaction awaits the passing of the appeal window to become Finalized. An Undetermined transaction also becomes Finalized after the appeal window passes. However, an appeal can initiate a return to Committing from Accepted, or automatically revert an Undetermined transaction to Pending.