Merge branch 'boog_cuprate' into 'master'

Boog900 full time work on Cuprate (3 months)

See merge request !469

boog_3_months_cuprate_2.md

+---
+layout: fr
+title:  Boog900 full time work on Cuprate (3 months)
+author: Boog900
+date: June 28, 2024
+amount: 215
+milestones:
+  - name: Month 1
+    funds: 71 XMR
+    done:
+    status: unfinished
+  - name: Month 2
+    funds: 72 XMR
+    done:
+    status: unfinished
+  - name: Month 3
+    funds: 72 XMR
+    done:
+    status: unfinished
+payouts:
+  - date:
+    amount:
+  - date:
+    amount:
+  - date:
+    amount:
+---
+
+This proposal is to continue my work on [Cuprate](https://github.com/Cuprate/cuprate).
+
+# Who
+
+I am [Boog900](https://github.com/Boog900), you can see my last CCS [here](https://ccs.getmonero.org/proposals/boog_3_months_cuprate.html).
+
+# What
+
+Cuprate is very close to having an alpha binary ready. During my last CCS I created a test binary with the components
+we currently have to test a full sync, a full sync with this binary wasn't achieved due to a few issues discovered, which have since
+been fixed, however timings up to the height (~2,300,000) we did reach are promising for Cuprate's performance.
+
+This proposal will be for 3 months work on Cuprate while continuing coordination of the Cuprate project and also being an active maintainer
+for monero-rs.
+
+My main plan is to work towards what is needed to achieve a working alpha binary that can sync, stay synchronized, handle reorgs and
+participate in transaction propagation. 
+
+This will include:
+
+### Blockchain service
+
+The blockchain service is what will keep the blockchain's state, handle incoming blocks, decide when to re-org, etc. It will use
+the consensus and database services created in previous CCS proposals (https://repo.getmonero.org/monero-project/ccs-proposals/-/merge_requests/405 & https://repo.getmonero.org/monero-project/ccs-proposals/-/merge_requests/422).
+
+### Tx Pool
+
+The transactions in the txpool will be stored in a separate database from where the blockchain is stored, using the same database abstraction. 
+I will work on the txpool tables and the service that will handle txpool requests from other parts of Cuprate.
+
+Hinto, as apart of their CCS, has already began work here. Although Hinto's CCS includes a small note about completing the persistent transaction 
+pool: `The persistent transaction pool will be finished within this CCS`, I will be taking over from where hinto has left off as the exact 
+transactions pool tables are yet to be decided and the transaction pool service is heavily tied in to other areas I will be working on. 
+
+### Peer Protocol Request Handler
+
+The peer protocol request handler is what is given to `cuprate-p2p`, it is used to handle requests for blocks/transactions and other chain data.
+In our test binary I created a mock request handler that just doesn't respond to requests, this lead to pretty unstable connections, with the other
+components here though I will be able to create a working request handler.
+
+### Other Tasks
+
+There are other smaller things that need to be worked on for Cuprate to be ready for an alpha binary, mainly bug fixes and leftover TODOs.
+
+# Milestones
+
+Unlike my previous CCS proposals, I am basing milestones on hours worked instead of completed work. 
+
+There are a few reasons for this. The exact work needed is likely to change as we get closer to an alpha binary, for example, bugs that need
+fixing may come up. It also brings the proposal closer to the average full-time developer proposal.
+
+Although doing milestones based on time requires more trust, we are doing weekly [Cuprate meetings](https://github.com/monero-project/meta/issues/1028) 
+where I am, and will be reporting progress.
+
+# Funding
+
+I am asking for $55/hr for 50 hrs/week for 3 months at $166/XMR. This gives 215 XMR.
+
+This is a raise over my last CCS ($45 -> $55), I believe this is justified given my past work.