Hi, I am 10. This is the popular science branch of the #区块链发展史 series. Today we will briefly introduce "What is blockchain?"
Blockchain is a technology that enables decentralized, secure, and transparent data exchange and value transfer, with a wide range of application scenarios and potential influence. In the future, it will surely become the core technology of many industries.
- The essence of blockchain is a distributed database, which consists of many interconnected data blocks, each of which contains some information, such as transaction records, contract content, digital certificates, etc. These data blocks are connected by cryptography to form a growing chain, namely blockchain.
- Blockchain is characterized by decentralization, immutability, traceability and transparency. Decentralization means that blockchain does not rely on any centralized server or organization to store and maintain data, but is maintained by all participants in the network. Immutability means that once the data on the blockchain is written, it cannot be modified or deleted, because any modification will cause the subsequent data blocks to become invalid. Traceability means that the data on the blockchain has a timestamp and source mark, which can be traced back to the source of its generation. Transparency means that the data on the blockchain is public and anyone can view and verify its content.
- The security and consistency of blockchains rely on a protocol called a consensus mechanism, which is a method for all participants in the network to reach a common agreement. There are many forms of consensus mechanisms, such as Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake, Delegated Proof-of-Stake, etc. The consensus mechanism can ensure that the data on the blockchain is valid, correct, and up-to-date, and prevent double spending, forgery, attacks, and other problems.
- Blockchain technology was originally designed for #Bitcoin, a digital currency based on blockchain technology, which was proposed by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 and started running in 2009. Bitcoin is one of the most successful and well-known applications of blockchain technology, which realizes a peer-to-peer electronic cash system without trust or intermediaries.
- Blockchain technology has been continuously improved and innovated with the development of Bitcoin, and many blockchain platforms and applications of different types and functions have emerged, such as Ethereum, EOS, TRON, Hyperledger, IPFS, etc. These platforms and applications not only support digital currency transactions, but also support smart contracts, decentralized applications, digital identities, asset tokenization, supply chain management, healthcare, social welfare and other fields.
