spike: Investigate Efficient Serialization Methods for StarkProof

[AbdelStark]

Description

Currently, the StarkProof is serialized as a JSON object, which is highly inefficient for our Data Vending Machine (DVM) system. We need to investigate and implement a more efficient serialization method that is compatible with the Nostr standard event format.

Objectives

1. Research potential NIPs that could be leveraged for efficient serialization.
2. Explore alternative serialization formats suitable for StarkProof data.
3. Evaluate the trade-offs between efficiency, compatibility, and ease of implementation.
4. Propose and implement a new serialization method for StarkProof.

Current Situation

• StarkProof is serialized as a JSON object.
• This method is inefficient in terms of data size and parsing speed.
• It may not be optimal for transmission over the Nostr network.

Research Areas

1. Nostr Improvement Proposals (NIPs):

   • Investigate NIP-94 (File Metadata) for potential adaptation.
   • Explore other relevant NIPs that might be applicable or adaptable.

2. Alternative Serialization Formats:

   • Protocol Buffers
   • MessagePack
   • CBOR (Concise Binary Object Representation)
   • FlatBuffers
   • Custom binary format

3. Compression Techniques:

   • Evaluate lossless compression algorithms suitable for cryptographic proofs.

4. Nostr Event Integration:

   • Investigate how to efficiently embed the serialized StarkProof within a Nostr event.

Tasks

1. Literature Review:

   • Review relevant NIPs, focusing on NIP-94 and any others related to data serialization.
   • Research best practices for serializing cryptographic proofs in other systems.

2. Benchmarking:

   • Set up a benchmarking framework to compare different serialization methods.
   • Metrics to consider: serialization/deserialization speed, data size, compatibility with Nostr.

3. Prototype Implementation:

   • Implement prototypes for the most promising serialization methods.
   • Test these prototypes with real StarkProof data.

4. Nostr Compatibility Analysis:

   • Analyze how each serialization method can be integrated into Nostr events.
   • Consider potential modifications to existing NIPs or the need for a new NIP.

5. Security Considerations:

   • Evaluate any potential security implications of changing the serialization format.
   • Ensure that the new method maintains the integrity and verifiability of the StarkProof.

6. Documentation:

   • Document the findings, including pros and cons of each method investigated.
   • Prepare a proposal for the chosen serialization method.

Considerations

• Backward Compatibility: Consider how to maintain compatibility with systems expecting the current JSON format.
• Cross-Platform Support: Ensure the chosen method works across different platforms and programming languages.
• Future Extensibility: The new format should allow for future extensions or modifications to the StarkProof structure.
• Network Efficiency: Consider how the new format affects network transmission in the Nostr ecosystem.

Deliverables

1. A comprehensive report on the investigated serialization methods.
2. Benchmark results comparing different serialization approaches.
3. A proposal for the new StarkProof serialization method, including:
   • Detailed specification of the format
   • Implementation guide
   • Justification for the chosen method
4. Prototype code demonstrating the new serialization method.
5. If applicable, a draft for a new NIP or modifications to existing NIPs.

Success Criteria

• The new serialization method reduces the data size by at least 30% compared to the current JSON format.
• Serialization and deserialization operations are at least 50% faster than the current method.
• The new format can be easily integrated into existing Nostr events and protocols.
• The solution maintains or improves the security and integrity of the StarkProof data.

Resources

• NIP-94: File Metadata