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Introduction to AO-Core ​

AO-Core is a protocol and standard for distributed computation that forms the foundation of the AO computer. Inspired by and built upon concepts from the Erlang language, AO-Core embraces the actor model for concurrent, distributed systems. Unlike traditional blockchain systems, AO-Core defines a flexible, powerful computation protocol that enables a wide range of applications beyond just running Lua programs.

What is AO-Core? ​

AO-Core is the fundamental protocol of the AO computer that:

  • Defines standards for trustless computation distributed across the world
  • Provides mathematical guarantees about program execution
  • Enables composable, modular development through devices
  • Supports various execution environments beyond just Lua
  • Implements the actor model for concurrent, message-passing computation

The Actor Model in AO ​

AO references the actor model of computation where:

  • Each actor (or process) is an independent unit of computation
  • Actors communicate exclusively through message passing
  • Actors can create other actors, send messages, and make local decisions
  • The system is inherently concurrent and distributed

This approach, inspired by Erlang, provides natural scalability and resilience in distributed systems.

Key Features of AO-Core ​

  • Resilient: There is no single point of failure. AO-Core exists across many machines distributed worldwide, making it immune to physical destruction or tampering.
  • Permanent: Computations following the AO-Core protocol are stored permanently on Arweave, allowing you to recall and continue your work at any time.
  • Permissionless: No registration is required to use AO-Core. Your right to use it is guaranteed by the underlying protocol.
  • Trustless: The state of your computations is mathematically guaranteed, allowing you to build services that don't require trust in any central authority.

Beyond Just Processes ​

While AO Processes (smart contracts built using the AO-Core protocol) are powerful for creating autonomous agents, AO-Core itself enables much more:

  • Serverless functions with trustworthy guarantees
  • Hybrid applications combining smart contract and serverless functionality
  • Custom execution environments through different devices
  • Composable systems using the path language

Next Steps ​

In the following sections, we'll explore how AO Processes build on top of the AO-Core protocol, and how you can get started building your own applications in this powerful environment.