Fork: from theory to practice. We explore where it occurs and why it's important to know

The word “fork” constantly appears in discussions among crypto investors, programmers, and IT enthusiasts. But what is behind it? Many confuse a blockchain fork with a Git fork, although these are entirely different phenomena. Let’s figure out why the same word is used everywhere and what it truly means in each context.

The essence of a fork: one word, different meanings

Let’s start with the basics. The word “fork” is an anglicism meaning branching or splitting. The core idea is the same: an original (code base, rules, protocol) is taken and an independent version is created that can develop in its own way.

Why has this term become widespread? Because the logic is universal:

• In programming, it means the freedom to experiment on someone else’s code
• In cryptocurrencies, it signifies a split in the community expressed through technology
• In operating systems, it refers to adaptation for specific needs

Key point: a fork is always independent development based on an existing solution. Simply copying is not a fork.

Cryptocurrency forks: when the community splits

If you trade cryptocurrencies, a fork is an event that can affect your portfolio. Here’s why.

Blockchain relies on rules followed by all network participants. When part of the community decides to change these rules, a fork occurs — the network splits into two branches. One continues with the old rules, the other operates differently. And if these rules are incompatible, two different cryptocurrencies emerge.

Hard fork: when incompatible with anything

This is a radical change that breaks compatibility with the previous version. Nodes that haven’t updated their software drop out of the new network. Result? The blockchain actually splits, often resulting in a new coin.

A classic example is Bitcoin Cash (2017). The Bitcoin community quarreled over block size. Some wanted to increase throughput, others did not. As a result, a hard fork occurred, and a separate cryptocurrency appeared. Those holding Bitcoin received an equivalent amount of Bitcoin Cash after the fork. For traders, this meant: suddenly, two assets in the portfolio instead of one.

Other examples:

• Ethereum Classic (2016) — fork arose after the DAO hack. The majority wanted to rollback transactions, the minority saw it as a violation of principles. The split was ideological.
• Bitcoin SV (2018) — a fork from Bitcoin Cash, continuing debates on scalability.

Hard forks cause volatility. Prices jump, speculative opportunities arise, but risks also increase.

Soft fork: quiet modernization

This is a change that remains compatible with old rules. Nodes that haven’t updated their software can continue working in the network, albeit with limitations. No new chain is created.

Example: SegWit in Bitcoin — an optimization of transaction structure that didn’t split the network. Soft forks are less conflict-prone, and the market perceives them more calmly.

Fork in programming and Git: a collaboration tool

Here, everything is simpler and nobler. A fork in Git is a copy of a repository on a server (for example, GitHub), created in your account and fully under your control.

Why fork on GitHub

1. You want to improve someone else’s project but don’t have write access — you fork it, make changes, and propose via pull request.
2. You take a popular project as a basis and develop it in your own direction.
3. You test ideas without risking damaging the original.

Process: click Fork on the repository page → the platform creates a copy in your account → you work independently → you can synchronize with the original if needed.

A fork here is the foundation of open-source culture. It allowed the community to make software more free and improvable.

Fork and clone: don’t confuse

• Fork — a copy on the server in your account
• Clone — a copy on your computer

You fork a repository, then clone it to work locally. Forking is an action on the server, cloning is on your machine.

Operating system and application forks

Examples:

• Ubuntu — a fork of Debian, adapted for a wider audience. Linux Mint, in turn, is a fork of Ubuntu.
• Brave browser — a fork of Chromium focused on privacy and integrated crypto features.

Such forks occur when developers need features not present in the original or see it differently.

Fork as a threat: fork bomb and security

There’s a dark side. A fork bomb is a malicious script that creates an infinite stream of processes, overloading the system. It works on the forking mechanism (creating new processes) built into OS.

Imagine: a program launches two processes, each launches two more, and so on exponentially. Within seconds, the system exhausts resources, hangs, or crashes. Dangerous for servers.

Protection: system administrators limit the number of processes via commands like ulimit in Linux. Users should not run unknown scripts from suspicious sources.

Practical advice: forks and your interests

If you trade cryptocurrencies, keep an eye on news about forks. They influence prices, create speculative moments, but also carry risks. Hard forks are especially unpredictable.

If you’re a developer, a fork is your friend. It’s a tool for learning, collaboration, and innovation.

If you’re just a user, a fork explains why there are so many versions of popular software and why communities sometimes split.

Key takeaway: a fork is a neutral mechanism that can be a tool for progress or a cause of splits. Understanding it helps navigate modern technologies, whether in crypto markets, development, or system administration. The main thing is to know what kind of fork you’re dealing with and what it means in your specific context.