What is Testnet?

Question

What is Testnet?

Accepted Answer

A **Testnet** is a parallel, non-monetary instance of a blockchain network used by developers to test and experiment with new features, smart contracts, and decentralized applications (dApps) in a safe, risk-free environment before deploying them to the live, value-bearing Mainnet.

Testnet

What is Testnet?

What is a Testnet, and how does it differ fundamentally from a Mainnet in the blockchain development lifecycle?

Why are Testnets considered a critical component of blockchain security and development, and what specific risks do they mitigate?

How do developers acquire and use "fake" Testnet coins, and what are the common types of testing performed on these networks?

What are some notable examples of major blockchain Testnets, and what are the key technical specifications that distinguish them?

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