The EVM word is 256 bits long. That is why uint256 is so ubiquitous in Solidity. Outside the EVM, however, 256-bit unsigned integers are not that common to find. In some cases, 256 bits may be a bit too much. UNIX timestamps, for example, will overflow with 32-bit signed integers in 2038, and with 32-bit unsigned integers in 2106. Input indices don't need 256 bits. The Ethereum blockchain, for example, haven't even reached $2^{32}$ yet.
✔️ Solution
Type input indices as uint64.
:brain: Rationale
We assume applications won't receive more than $2^{64}$ inputs.
With this, we can save on-chain space and avoid uint256 in off-chain components.
📚 Context
The EVM word is 256 bits long. That is why
uint256is so ubiquitous in Solidity. Outside the EVM, however, 256-bit unsigned integers are not that common to find. In some cases, 256 bits may be a bit too much. UNIX timestamps, for example, will overflow with 32-bit signed integers in 2038, and with 32-bit unsigned integers in 2106. Input indices don't need 256 bits. The Ethereum blockchain, for example, haven't even reached $2^{32}$ yet.✔️ Solution
Type input indices as
uint64.:brain: Rationale
We assume applications won't receive more than $2^{64}$ inputs. With this, we can save on-chain space and avoid
uint256in off-chain components.