Bitcoin software is open source, which means that the codes of Bitcoin or the features of it are open to everyone. However, anyone can participate, who wants to Participate in the Bitcoin network as a, Miner, Node operator, or wallet administrator, updating and developing the current version of Bitcoin ranges.
In open source software development, a fork generally refers to the event of a project spinning off of another project by copying the code base and running it, for example- Bitcoin cash is a fork of Bitcoin, Linux Debian distribution is a fork of Linux source code.
In cryptocurrency, Changes made o the protocol can be called as the soft fork or hard fork, because it can require the hard fork or soft fork.
What is soft fork?
A soft fork is a fork where updated versions of the protocol are backward compatible with previous versions. The Older version of all Bitcoin software will recognize new blocks. Conducting a soft Fork in the Bitcoin is a chaotic effect.
What is a hard fork?
A hard fork is a tricky change. A hard fork is a fork where updated versions of the protocol are not backward compatible with older versions of the client. A participant running the node have to upgrade the software to keep contributing to the software.
There is a problem of the hard fork. which is a risk, i.e when executing the hard for there is a situation where running the new software are separated from the old version, results in a fork on the blockchain. A hard fork divides the blockchain of the cryptocurrency in two parts which make a new value existing on a new blockchain.
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