Horizontal sharding is a method used to improve scalability and performance in blockchain systems. It involves dividing the entire database into smaller, more manageable pieces called shards. Each shard holds a subset of the overall data, allowing the network to handle increased transactions without slowing down.In this approach, each node in the network is responsible for maintaining only a specific shard rather than the entire blockchain. This division enables parallel processing of transactions, as different nodes can work on different shards simultaneously. As a result, the overall throughput of the blockchain is enhanced.Horizontal sharding also helps in reducing the storage burden on individual nodes. Instead of needing to store all the data, a node only needs to maintain the data relevant to its assigned shard. This allows for lower hardware requirements and encourages greater participation in the network.Overall, horizontal sharding aims to optimize the performance of blockchains, making them more efficient and capable of handling a growing number of users and transactions without compromising on speed or security.