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feat: added core concepts page (#484)
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nickfrosty authored Sep 13, 2024
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2 changes: 0 additions & 2 deletions docs/core/accounts.md
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sidebarSortOrder: 1
sidebarLabel: Solana Account Model
title: Solana Account Model
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- /docs/core
---

On Solana, all data is stored in what are referred to as "accounts”. The way
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113 changes: 112 additions & 1 deletion docs/core/index.md
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---
metaOnly: true
title: Core Concepts
sidebarSortOrder: 2
description:
"Understanding these core concepts are very important to maximize your success
as a Solana blockchain developer."
---

Build a strong understanding of the core concepts that make Solana different
from other blockchains. Understanding the "Solana programming model" through
these core concepts is very important to maximize your success as a Solana
blockchain developer.

## Solana Account Model

On Solana, all data is stored in what are referred to as "accounts”. The way
data is organized on the Solana blockchain resembles a
[key-value store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key%E2%80%93value_database),
where each entry in the database is called an "account".

Learn more about [Accounts](/docs/core/accounts.md) here.

## Transactions and Instructions

On Solana, we send [transactions](/docs/core/transactions#transaction) to
interact with the network. Transactions include one or more
[instructions](/docs/core/transactions#instruction), each representing a
specific operation to be processed. The execution logic for instructions is
stored on [programs](/docs/core/programs) deployed to the Solana network, where
each program stores its own set of instructions.

Learn more about [Transactions](/docs/core/transactions.md) and
[Instructions](/docs/core/transactions.md#instruction) here.

## Fees on Solana

The Solana blockchain has a few different types of fees and costs that are
incurred to use the permissionless network. These can be segmented into a few
specific types:

- [Transaction Fees](/docs/core/fees.md#transaction-fees) - A fee to have
validators process transactions/instructions
- [Prioritization Fees](/docs/core/fees.md#prioritization-fees) - An optional
fee to boost transactions processing order
- [Rent](/docs/core/fees.md#rent) - A withheld balance to keep data stored
on-chain

Learn more about [Fees on Solana](/docs/core/fees.md) here.

## Programs on Solana

In the Solana ecosystem, "smart contracts" are called programs. Each program is
an on-chain account that stores executable logic, organized into specific
functions referred to as _instructions_ and called via _instruction handler_
functions within the respective deployed program.

Learn more about [Programs on Solana](/docs/core/programs.md) here.

## Program Derived Address

Program Derived Addresses (PDAs) provide developers on Solana with two main use
cases:

- **Deterministic Account Addresses**: PDAs provide a mechanism to
deterministically derive an address using a combination of optional "seeds"
(predefined inputs) and a specific program ID.
- **Enable Program Signing**: The Solana runtime enables programs to "sign" for
PDAs which are derived from its program ID.

You can think of PDAs as a way to create hashmap-like structures on-chain from a
predefined set of inputs (e.g. strings, numbers, and other account addresses).

Learn more about [Program Derived Address](/docs/core/pda.md) here.

## Cross Program Invocation

A Cross Program Invocation (CPI) refers to when one program invokes the
instructions of another program. This mechanism allows for the composability of
Solana programs.

You can think of instructions as API endpoints that a program exposes to the
network and a CPI as one API internally invoking another API.

Learn more about [Cross Program Invocation](/docs/core/cpi.md) here.

## Tokens on Solana

Tokens are digital assets that represent ownership over diverse categories of
assets. Tokenization enables the digitalization of property rights, serving as a
fundamental component for managing both fungible and non-fungible assets.

- Fungible Tokens represent interchangeable and divisible assets of the same
type and value (ex. USDC).
- Non-fungible Tokens (NFT) represent ownership of indivisible assets (e.g.
artwork).

Learn more about [Tokens on Solana](/docs/core/tokens.md) here.

## Clusters and Endpoints

The Solana blockchain has several different groups of validators, known as
[Clusters](/docs/core/clusters.md). Each serving different purposes within the
overall ecosystem and containing dedicated api nodes to fulfill
[JSON-RPC](/docs/rpc/index.mdx) requests for their respective Cluster.

The individual nodes within a Cluster are owned and operated by third parties,
with a public endpoint available for each.

There are three primary clusters on the Solana network, each with a different
public endpoint:

- Mainnet - `https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com`
- Devnet - `https://api.devnet.solana.com`
- Testnet - `https://api.testnet.solana.com`

Learn more about [Clusters and Endpoints](/docs/core/clusters.md) here.

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