Glossary OS

Plain meaning

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Executable and Linkable Format — the binary format used for deployed Solana programs. Rust source code is compiled via cargo-build-sbf into an SBF-targeted ELF binary (.so file) that the Solana runtime loads and executes. The ELF format contains the program's compiled bytecode, symbol tables, and relocation information. ELF binaries are uploaded to buffer accounts during deployment and then written to the program data account.

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ELF Binary (elf-binary)
Category: Programming Fundamentals
Definition: Executable and Linkable Format — the binary format used for deployed Solana programs. Rust source code is compiled via cargo-build-sbf into an SBF-targeted ELF binary (.so file) that the Solana runtime loads and executes. The ELF format contains the program's compiled bytecode, symbol tables, and relocation information. ELF binaries are uploaded to buffer accounts during deployment and then written to the program data account.
Aliases: ELF, Shared Object
Related: SBF (Solana Bytecode Format), cargo-build-sbf, Program Data Account

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Branch

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter)Solana Virtual Machine (SVM)

Open term

Branch

cargo-build-sbf

The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

Program

Open term

Branch

Program Data Account

The account that stores the actual SBF ELF bytecode for an upgradeable program. It is separate from the program's main account (which just points to the program data). This separation allows the bytecode to be swapped during upgrades while the program ID stays the same. The program data account also stores the upgrade authority pubkey.

Upgradeable BPF Loader

Open term

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Core Protocol

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

Open term

Developer Tools

cargo-build-sbf

The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

Open term

Programming Model

Program Data Account

The account that stores the actual SBF ELF bytecode for an upgradeable program. It is separate from the program's main account (which just points to the program data). This separation allows the bytecode to be swapped during upgrades while the program ID stays the same. The program data account also stores the upgrade authority pubkey.

Open term

Programming Fundamentals

Encryption

The process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext that can only be read with the correct decryption key. Symmetric encryption (AES) uses one key for both operations. Asymmetric encryption (RSA, ECIES) uses public/private key pairs. On Solana, encryption is used in confidential transfers (Twisted ElGamal), off-chain communication, and wallet security.

Open term

Related terms

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Core Protocolsbf

SBF (Solana Bytecode Format)

Solana Bytecode Format—Solana's customized evolution of BPF. SBF adds Solana-specific syscalls, modifies calling conventions, disables certain eBPF instructions, and adds features like position-independent code. Programs are compiled with `cargo build-sbf` and deployed as SBF ELF binaries. SBF replaced BPF as the canonical bytecode format.

Open term

Developer Toolscargo-build-sbf

cargo-build-sbf

The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

Open term

Programming Modelprogram-data

Program Data Account

The account that stores the actual SBF ELF bytecode for an upgradeable program. It is separate from the program's main account (which just points to the program data). This separation allows the bytecode to be swapped during upgrades while the program ID stays the same. The program data account also stores the upgrade authority pubkey.

Open term

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Programming Fundamentals

Rust

A systems programming language emphasizing memory safety, zero-cost abstractions, and concurrency without a garbage collector. Rust uses an ownership model with borrow checking at compile time to prevent data races and null pointer bugs. It is the primary language for Solana program development (via Anchor or native solana-program crate) and the Agave validator client.

Open term

Programming Fundamentals

TypeScript

A statically typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. TypeScript adds type annotations, interfaces, generics, and enums to catch errors at compile time. It is the standard language for Solana client-side development—wallet adapters, dApp frontends, test suites, and SDK interactions (web3.js, Anchor client) are typically written in TypeScript.

Open term

Programming Fundamentals

JavaScript

The ubiquitous scripting language for web development, running in browsers and Node.js. JavaScript is dynamically typed and event-driven. Most Solana dApp frontends and scripts use JavaScript/TypeScript with libraries like @solana/web3.js. Node.js enables server-side JS for backend services, indexers, and bot development.

Open term

Programming Fundamentals

Node.js

A JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine that enables server-side JavaScript execution. Node.js uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. In the Solana ecosystem, Node.js is used for: running Anchor tests (Mocha/Jest), backend services, transaction bots, indexers, and CLI tools. npm/yarn/pnpm manage JavaScript package dependencies.

Open term