removing iteration count parameter (num_steps) from verify function

[Hakkush-07]

Currently, "verify" methods of both RecursiveSNARK and CompressedSNARK take the number of steps as a parameter. Is there a way to hide it from the verifier? i.e. a way to remove the need for num_steps being fed into the hashers. Reason why such a modification may be needed is that how many times a step circuit is run may leak information. Do you think this can be done without breaking the soundness and safety of the proof system?

[srinathsetty]

Hi @Hakkush-07, yes, this is certainly possible. This is on our radar, with some upcoming improvements to address #174.

In a nutshell, instead of the counter to keep track of steps, we would need a simple flag to switch from base case to non-base-case.