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Blockchain & Crypto vocabulary · Networks, Forks & Scaling

Testnet

Meaning in blockchain & crypto, with examples

/ˈtest.net/nounCommon term

In blockchain & crypto, testnet means: A copy of a blockchain network used for testing, where the tokens have no real value. Developers try out contracts and upgrades there before using them on mainnet.

In Turkish: test ağı

How it is used

Developers deploy to a testnet, get free test tokens from a faucet and run a public testnet so users can try a product early. Since testnet tokens are worthless, anyone selling them is usually running a scam.

Example sentences

  1. Deploy the new version to the testnet first and let QA test it for a week.

  2. You can get free testnet tokens from the faucet.

Common collocations

  • deploy to testnet
  • public testnet
  • testnet tokens
  • testnet faucet
  • mainnetThe live, public version of a blockchain network where transactions are real and tokens have real value, as opposed to a test network.
  • deployTo publish a smart contract to a blockchain so that it gets its own address and can be used. Deploying costs gas, and the code usually cannot be changed afterwards.
  • smart contractA program stored on a blockchain that runs automatically when certain conditions are met. Once deployed it usually cannot be changed, and it can hold and move funds without a middleman.
  • auditA detailed security review of smart contract code by independent experts, who look for bugs and weaknesses before the code goes live and publish their findings in a report.

More terms: Networks, Forks & Scaling

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