<blockquote>
  <p>will the shorter chain still be published?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Published -- no. However, if the stale tip was previously the best tip, it will be stored in a Bitcoin Core node implementation according to the <a href="https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/978682b9dccfb48425c0129431bb108e78e33e4e/src/net_processing.cpp#L953" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a> and other nodes can retrieve it up to a certain point in time. The time limit is imposed to avoid fingerprinting.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Does the network still synchronize the shorter chain.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>No, the node only ever extends the active chain.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T16:47:32.887Z
2019-01-20T16:47:32.887Z
rny
<p>Assuming two blocks are published at exactly the same time, a race for the next block to be added to one of them begins, which eventually one chain will eventually win. </p>

<p>My question: will the shorter chain still be published? Does the network still syncronize the shorter chain, i.e. does every client contain a copy of not only the longest chain, but all (for lack of a better word)  "sidechains"?
If so, are there any conditions as to what will be syncronized beyond block validity?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-25T18:27:23.597Z
FYI, "sidechain" has a specific meaning, and that's not it.  You are referring to what is called a "fork".  It means the network is split on which block is considered the valid one.  A sidechain is a separate blockchain altogether, that uses smart contracts to create a token on its own chain by locking one on another.
Jestin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-25T19:32:36.093Z
@Jestin: Please feel free to answer the actual question.
Jimmy Johnson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-25T19:37:05.917Z
I don't actually know the specifics of how a node stores alternate forks.  I'm learning just like you are, and am also waiting for an answer.
Jestin
<blockchain><mining-theory><blockchain-fork><best-chain><stale-block>
Shorter Chains in blockdata
Jimmy Johnson
# Shorter Chains in blockdata

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-01-25)

Assuming two blocks are published at exactly the same time, a race for the next block to be added to one of them begins, which eventually one chain will eventually win.

My question: will the shorter chain still be published? Does the network still syncronize the shorter chain, i.e. does every client contain a copy of not only the longest chain, but all (for lack of a better word) "sidechains"?
If so, are there any conditions as to what will be syncronized beyond block validity?

Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** blockchain, mining-theory, blockchain-fork, best-chain, stale-block

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: FYI, "sidechain" has a specific meaning, and that's not it.  You are referring to what is called a "fork".  It means the network is split on which block is considered the valid one.  A sidechain is a separate blockchain altogether, that uses smart contracts to create a token on its own chain by locking one on another.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: Please feel free to answer the actual question.  
> **username_1**: I don't actually know the specifics of how a node stores alternate forks.  I'm learning just like you are, and am also waiting for an answer.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-01-20. Score: 1

> will the shorter chain still be published?

Published -- no. However, if the stale tip was previously the best tip, it will be stored in a Bitcoin Core node implementation according to the [source](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/978682b9dccfb48425c0129431bb108e78e33e4e/src/net_processing.cpp#L953) and other nodes can retrieve it up to a certain point in time. The time limit is imposed to avoid fingerprinting.

> Does the network still synchronize the shorter chain.

No, the node only ever extends the active chain.


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