tendermint/spec/abci++

order	parent
1	[{title ABCI++} {order 3}]

ABCI++

Introduction

ABCI++ is a major evolution of ABCI (Application Blockchain Interface). Like its predecessor, ABCI++ is the interface between Tendermint (a state-machine replication engine) and the actual state machine being replicated (i.e., the Application). The API consists of a set of methods, each with a corresponding Request and Response message type.

The methods are always initiated by Tendermint. The Application implements its logic for handling all ABCI++ methods. Thus, Tendermint always sends the Request* messages and receives the Response* messages in return.

All ABCI++ messages and methods are defined in protocol buffers. This allows Tendermint to run with applications written in many programming languages.

This specification is split as follows:

• Basic concepts and definitions - definitions and descriptions of concepts that are needed to understand other parts of this sepcification.
• Methods - complete details on all ABCI++ methods and message types.
• Requirements for the Application - formal requirements on the Application's logic to ensure liveness of Tendermint. These requirements define what Tendermint expects from the Application.
• Tendermint's expected behavior - specification of how the different ABCI++ methods may be called by Tendermint. This explains what the Application is to expect from Tendermint.

TODO Re-read these and remove redundant info

• Applications - how to manage ABCI application state and other details about building ABCI applications
• Client and Server - for those looking to implement their own ABCI application servers