Question: What is the "Network" used for?

I see in the examples:

// Set network and server
Network network = new Network("Test SDF Network ; September 2015");
Server server = new Server("https://horizon-testnet.stellar.org");
....

Or even:

Network.UseTestNetwork();
Server server = new Server("https://horizon-testnet.stellar.org");

I went over the Network class and can’t figure out what/where it is used for? Since we instantiate the Server with specific uri (test or main), where does the Network used? I can’t see its being used anywhere for example: examples/send_native_assets.md

Thanks 😃

[fracek]

I think you have a good understanding of it. In the case of applications like wallets I think it makes sense to have a global object for the current network, but if you’re developing something else it’s probably better to use the overloaded Sign method. You’re also right about thread safety (I brought this exact same issue up in #104).

[Kirbyrawr]

Hi there i’m on my lunch time so i have time to reply to you.

A network is a cluster of servers connected between them in a decentralized way.

For connect to a network you need a passphrase. Think of it like a way to assign an ID

If you ask the server it will give you the details of the network it’s in, also it can give you the passphrase https://horizon-testnet.stellar.org (try to click and see on the bottom).

Here is more info: https://www.stellar.org/how-it-works/stellar-basics/explainers/

It’s a bit tricky though.