Glossary
Abstract syntax tree
An abstract syntax tree (AST) is a formal representation of an Approval Rule definition. This is how it's created:
A user defines a new Approval Rule in the Intent-Specific Language.
A tokenizer breaks the Approval Rule into tokens representing the smallest elements of the Intent-Specific Language.
A parser validates the syntactic structure of the definition and represents it as an AST, which is stored on-chain.
Action
An Action is an on-chain action (transaction) on the Warden Protocol:
A smart contract invocation, such as swapping ETH for MATIC on UniSwap
A key request or a signature request
Adding a member to a Space in SpaceWard
An Action happens after an Approval is granted according to a user-defined Approval Rule, as specified in an Intent. In the future, we're going to implement off-chain Actions, such as sending a message to a Slack channel.
AI Blockchain Interface (AIBI)
Artificial Intelligence Blockchain Interface (AIBI) brings AI on-chain with an intuitive interface for developers to integrate AI into their applications. Inspired by proof-of-computation and computational pipelines, AIBI allows inference endpoints to create cryptographic proofs that verify that an AI model produced a specific prediction. These proofs are then verified on Wardens’ blockchain through a new consensus mechanism, ensuring AI outputs are not just delivered, but can be trusted.
Approval
An Approval is a permission for an Action to be performed. Approvals are granted according to user-defined Approval Rules.
Approval Rule
An Approval Rule is a set of user-defined conditions under which an Action is performed. For example, a Rule can allow executing a transaction only if 2 of 3 approvers sign it.
You can define Approval Rules as part of Intents, using the Intent-Specific Language. Warden's Intent Engine ensures the validity of transactions by checking Rules, represented as abstract syntax trees.
Bonded validator
A bonded validator is an active validator participating in consensus (staking). Bonded validators validate transactions, propose blocks, and earn rewards for their contributions to the network.
Bridging
Bridging is a method allowing users to transfer assets across different blockchain networks. This technology utilizes cross-chain bridges – smart contracts that receive and lock tokens on the source chain and then mint a corresponding number of wrapped tokens on the destination chain. Warden currently supports bridging through Axelar.
Builder incentive
The Warden Protocol is open to third-party contributions: core protocol development or building Omnichain Applications in the Warden ecosystem. We'll reward both types of contributions with builder incentives in WARD. More details will be announced soon.
Delegator
A delegator is an individual or entity that participates in the staking process by delegating their WARD tokens to a validator. Delegation allows securing the network and sharing rewards with validators without the responsibility of running a node.
All delegators inherit the state from their validator: bonded, unbonding, or unbonded. To avoid risks, delegators should perform due diligence on validators and spread their stake over multiple validators. Delegators can also participate in governance.
Full node
A full node is a server running a software (binary) that maintains a complete up-to-date version of a protocol with full transaction history. You can run a full Warden Protocol node yourself.
Governance
The Warden Protocol supports on-chain governance. It's a mechanism allowing the decentralized community to update the protocol through direct voting that is recorded on-chain. Voting is available for the participants of staking: validators and delegators.
The voting power depends on the validator's weight or the amount of WARD a delegator staked. By default, delegators inherit votes of their validator. Alternatively, a delegator can cast their own vote, which will reduce the validator's voting power.
Intent
An Intent is a user-defined script specifying the following:
An Action – any on-chain action on the Warden Protocol
An Approval Rule – a set of conditions under which the Action is performed
After an Action is initiated, the Intent Engine checks the Approval Rule. If the conditions are met, an Approval is granted, and the Action is carried out.
Intent Engine
The Intent Engine is an immutable on-chain interpreter of the Intent-Specific Language, acting as a gatekeeper. When a user initiates a transaction (Action), the Intent Engine checks the user's Approval Rule, represented as an abstract syntax tree, and returns true or false – granting or not granting an Approval.
Intent-Specific Language
The Intent-Specific Language (ISL) is a language that allows users to configure Approval Rules (as part of Intents). It's composable, extensive, declarative, human-readable, and English-like. The ISL is interpreted by the Intent Engine.
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