User Data

In Essential, User Data is the means by which users interact with the blockchain’s state. This is where the user expresses their intent for state changes. The term user data refers specifically to the parts of a solution that are fully constrained by the user.

For example, consider a token swap:

• A user with a certain amount of Token A wants to swap it for Token B.
• They can constrain specific parameters: the addresses of Token A and B, and the amount of Token A they wish to exchange.
• However, they may leave the amount of Token B to receive unconstrained, allowing the solver to maximize it based on market conditions.

User data is signed by the user, linking it directly to authentication. If any value in the user data (e.g., transfer amount, "from" or "to" addresses) is altered, the signature becomes invalid, thereby ensuring data integrity.