Solana: Why haven’t we given “mut” argument to the account Poll but given it to the Signer

Addressing the mut Problem on Solana: A Critical Examination of Anchor

The Solana blockchain, built on the Anchor framework, has garnered significant attention and adoption from the cryptocurrency community. However, one aspect that warrants further investigation is the handling of Poll and Signer accounts. In this article, we will delve into the reasoning behind why the Anchor team chose to deny the mut permission to both accounts, despite its potential benefits in certain scenarios.

The Problem with mut

Mut allows one user account to modify the data of another account without requiring an explicit transfer. This is particularly useful when dealing with complex interactions between accounts or when a user needs to update information about another person (e.g., setting up a new user account). However, in the context of Solana, mut is not enabled by default for several reasons:

• Security: By restricting mut, the Anchor team aims to maintain control over the flow of data and avoid potential security vulnerabilities.

• Compatibility: Enabling mut can lead to inconsistencies between different libraries or modules that depend on it, potentially causing issues in the Solana ecosystem.

The decision to not grant mut permission

Given the concerns mentioned above, the Anchor team has chosen not to grant mut permission to the Poll and Signer accounts. The reasoning behind this decision is as follows:

• No need for explicit transfers: By denying mut, users can update information about another person without requiring an explicit transfer of funds or data.

• Maintaining security and compatibility: Enabling mut can introduce potential security risks and inconsistencies, which the Anchor team aims to avoid.

Conclusion

The decision to not grant mut permission to the Poll and Signer accounts is a deliberate choice made by the Anchor team. While it may seem counterintuitive at first glance, this decision was implemented with careful consideration for security, compatibility, and maintainability. In conclusion, understanding the reasoning behind this decision can help users make informed decisions about their Solana experience.

Best Practices

To work around these limitations, follow these best practices to ensure your account data remains secure:

• Use transfer instead of mut

  

  : If you need to update information about another person, use the transfer function to transfer funds or data without requiring explicit mut permission.

• Avoid using mut in complex interactions

  : Be cautious when using mut in intricate scenarios where security and compatibility are crucial.

By understanding the anchor team’s decision-making process and following best practices, you can utilize Solana effectively while minimizing potential risks.