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+HotStuff
+========
+
+HotStuff is a general-purpose BFT state machine replication library with
+modularity and simplicity, suitable for building hybrid consensus
+cryptocurrencies.
+
+Features
+========
+
+- Simplicity. The protocol core logic implementation is as simple as the one
+ specified in our paper. See ``consensus.h`` and ``consensus.cpp``.
+
+- Modular design. You can use abstraction from the lowest level (the core
+ protocol logic) to the highest level (the state machine replication service
+ with network implementation) in your application, or override/redefine the
+ detailed behavior to customize your own consensus.
+
+- Liveness decoupled from safety. The liveness logic is entirely decoupled from
+ safety. By defining your own liveness gadget ("PaceMaker"), you can implement
+ your own liveness heuristics/algorithm. The actual performance varies
+ depending on your liveness implementation, but the safety is always intact.
+
+- Friendly to blockchain systems. A PaceMaker could potentially be PoW-based and
+ it makes it easier to build a hybrid consensus system, or use it at the core of
+ some cryptocurrencies.
+
+- Minimal. The project strives to keep code base small and implement just the
+ basic functionality of state machine replication: to deliver a consistent
+ command sequence to the library user. Application-specific parts are not
+ included, but demonstrated in the demo program.
+
+Try the Current Version
+=======================
+
+NOTICE: the project is still in-progress. Try at your own risk, and this
+section may be incomplete and subject to changes.
+
+::
+
+ # ensure openssl and libevent are installed on your machine
+ cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release . -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="-g -DHOTSTUFF_ENABLE_LOG_PROTO" -DBUILD_SHARED=ON
+ make
+
+ # start 4 demo replicas with ./run_replicas.sh
+ # start the demo client with ./run_client.sh