What Is A Testnet?
Test networks, or Testnets, are a blockchain separate from the mainnet used to test new implementations on the network without risk to the main chain.
Testnets are used to test new features and tools without deploying them directly on the main chain potentially breaking it, as they use the same, or newer version of the software running on the mainnet.
This allows for all bugs to be fixed and all exploits to be patched keeping users safe. After these different implementations have been rigorously tested on the testnets they shift over to the mainnet – there may be a consensus vote to do this prior to its mainnet release.
Coins used on the testnet are seperate from the max supply of the main chain, these coins don’t have value and can be easily obtained from faucets or mining.[1]Bellaj Badr, Richard Horrocks, Xun (Brian) Wu – Blockchain By Example: A developer’s guide to creating decentralized applications using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Hyperledger[2]EthHub – Test Networks
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