ZKP MOOC Lecture 3: Programming ZKPs

TL;DR

Use a library in a high-level programming language for implementing zero knowledge proofs, allowing for code abstraction and efficient witness computation.

Transcript

PRATYUSH MISHRA: Hello. Hi, everyone. I'm Pratyush. And together with Alex Ozdemir, I'm going to be lecturing on programming zero knowledge proof systems. All right, let's get started. So let's say you have an idea for an application. It could be a private payment system, could be a private voting application. You know, anything, where you think a ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 The library approach for programming zero knowledge proofs allows for code abstraction, efficient witness computation, and increased productivity.
• ✋ Libraries provide high-level syntax and abstractions, making code development and maintenance easier.
• 🎮 Hardware description languages, like Circom, offer direct control over constraints and circuit generation, allowing for more customization and control but may be more cumbersome.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the advantage of using a library approach for programming zero knowledge proofs?

The advantage of using a library approach is that it offers code abstraction and efficient witness computation. Libraries allow for higher level syntax, enabling easier code development and maintenance. Additionally, libraries in high-level programming languages can leverage the host language's features and abstractions, improving developer experience and productivity.

Q: What is the difference between hardware description languages (HDLs) and library approaches for programming zero knowledge proofs?

HDLs, like Circom, offer direct control over constraints and circuit generation. They require low-level coding and offer more customization but can be more cumbersome. Library approaches, on the other hand, use high-level programming languages and provide abstractions to simplify code development. Libraries are generally easier to read, write, and maintain but may have less flexibility compared to HDLs.

Key Insights:

• The library approach for programming zero knowledge proofs allows for code abstraction, efficient witness computation, and increased productivity.
• Libraries provide high-level syntax and abstractions, making code development and maintenance easier.
• Hardware description languages, like Circom, offer direct control over constraints and circuit generation, allowing for more customization and control but may be more cumbersome.
• Both approaches have advantages and trade-offs, depending on the specific requirements and preferences of the project.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Programming zero knowledge proofs requires expressing ideas in a format that zero knowledge proof systems can understand, such as arithmetic circuits or constraint systems.

• One approach is to use hardware description languages like Circom, which offer direct control over constraints and circuit generation.

• Another approach is to use libraries in high-level programming languages, such as Artworks, which provide abstractions for easier code development and witness computation.

• Libraries allow for the creation of constraint systems, manipulation of variables, and constraint generation in a more readable and efficient manner.