What is Blockchain? 
(with visuals) ↓

What is Blockchain? (with visuals) ↓

FN3O8vnWUAApPhk.jpg What is a Blockchain ?

It's a growing list of records (blocks)

The Blocks are linked together using cryptography.

It's described as a data storage:

  • trustless
  • fully decentralized
  • peer-to-peer
  • immutable

It's spread over a network of participants (nodes)

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Blocks

They contain:

  • a cryptographic hash of the previous one.
  • a timestamp + transaction data.

The timestamp proves that the transaction data existed when the block was published in order to get into its hash.

The blocks form a chain (hence the name).

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Resistance to modification

The recorded data in a block cannot be altered without altering all subsequent blocks

They are ban be managed by a p2p network for use as a publicly distributed ledger

Nodes adhere to a protocol to communicate/validate new blocks.

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Secure by design

Although blockchain records are not unalterable as forks are possible, blockchains may be considered secure by design.

They exemplify a distributed computing system with high Byzantine fault tolerance.

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Structure

A blockchain is a digital ledger:

  • decentralized
  • distributed
  • often public

It consists of records (blocks)

it's used to record transactions across many computers

Any block cannot be altered retroactively, without the alteration of all subsequent blocks.

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Verification

The participants can verify/audit transactions independently and inexpensively.

A blockchain DB is managed autonomously using:

  • p2p network
  • distributed timestamping server

It's authenticated by mass collaboration powered by collective self-interests.

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Robust workflow

The uncertainty of the participants regarding data security is marginal.

The use of a blockchain removes the characteristic of infinite reproducibility from a digital asset, confirming that each unit of value was transferred once.

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Value Exchange protocol

A Blockchain can be seen as a value-exchange protocol.

A blockchain can maintain title rights.

When properly set up to detail the exchange agreement, it provides a record that compels both offer and acceptance.

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Layers

A blockchain can be seen as several layers:

  • infrastructure.
  • networking (node discovery, information propagation, verification).
  • consensus (proof of work/stake).
  • data (blocks, transactions).
  • application (smart contracts/decentralized applications).

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