Preimage
The encoded call data behind a proposal hash.
In plain language
A large proposal is often referenced by hash. The preimage contains the bytes needed to decode and dispatch the actual call.
Why it matters
Without the historical preimage, the public may know a hash was approved without knowing what action it represented.
Real Vara examples
| Referendum | Governance | Execution | Direct addresses |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Approved opaque whitelisted-call dispatch with no recorded execution This untitled referendum approved dispatching a very large whitelisted call, but the surviving archive does not contain its preimage or a later execution result. | Approved | Not executed | 6 |
| #2 Failed dispatch of the unresolved whitelisted call from referendum #1 This untitled referendum tried to dispatch the same unresolved whitelisted call hash referenced by #1, but the call failed. | Executed | Dispatch failed | 10 |