You are about to learn how blockchain works. It will not be an easy journey, but we will handle that together. Article after article, block after block, we will lengthen our chain of knowledge and gain insight into the philosophy behind the technology. Blockchain and BlockDAG explorers, welcome to Mickey Maler's Tech Tales; your training awaits!
The digital world has evolved from the static pages of Web 1.0 to the interactive experiences of Web 2.0. As we transition towards Web 3.0, there's growing curiosity about its potential. Web 3.0, or the Semantic Web, aims to make data on the internet machine-readable, setting the stage for more intelligent and autonomous online interactions.
.The message of this chapter is simple: explain what the blockchain is all about. So, the blockchain is an architecture centered on cryptography and built atop the internet protocol, powered by interconnected computer servers that do not require developer setup, embodying a sophisticated blend of hardware and software. This technology extends...
This episode focuses on smart contracts. After reading through the article, you will have a basic understanding of smart contract functionality, use cases, composition, and history. I want to give you an edge in the knowledge that will set you apart from the standard smart contract crowd; this part also describes Live contracts.
In this section, I will guide you through the initial process of tracking transactions in a blockchain explorer and describe the individual elements of Bitcoin blocks. Following this part, you will have an introductory experience with blockchain explorers and individual blocks.
Red Hat space explorers, I'll see you in the block!
The following episode emphasizes the roles of full nodes and miners in validating and securing the network. It highlights how blockchain's decentralized nature ensures data integrity and transparency, preventing unauthorized alterations. The text explains the validation process for transactions, including the necessity of proving ownership and...
Forking is only one way of updating a blockchain, but it's an important one in the tricky context of decentralized networks. Another interesting use of forking is to have your own copy of a particular blockchain and be able to do whatever you want with it.
This article acts as a bookend to the first block of knowledge offered by this Academy.
In previous episodes, we covered the fundamentals of the Proof of Work algorithm, the responsibilities of miners, hashes and hashing functions, and the importance of determinism.
With the third part of our journey, we will uncover the purpose of the hashing function, share a ride on the Avalanche effect, discover the widespread use of hashes across the blockchain field, and compare two commonly used hashing algorithms in a clash of cryptographic titans.
The second part of our crypto journey introduces us to the core aspect of the PoW blockchain: mining, miners, and nodes. These, along with internet access and electricity, form the essential components of every blockchain.