Introduction to Blockchain

Shailna Patidar
Sep 1, 2018 · 6 min read

1. Objective

In this Blockchain tutorial, we will study about the latest technology — Blockchain, and a short introduction for further insight into the Blockchain technology. Moreover, we will see what is Blockchain Technology, how Blockchain works, benefits of Blockchain. Along with this, we will learn Blockchain applications, Blockchain history and limitations of Blockchain.

So, let us learn Blockchain for beginners.

Blockchain Tutorial — Learn Blockchain Technology 2018

2. Introduction to Blockchain

Introduction to cryptocurrencies(Bitcoin) brought the concept of Blockchain into the highlight, it is a database that protects us from tampering and revision of the data. The blockchain is still an emerging technology, so it is difficult for us to understand its working without getting into the codes or by digging deep into computer science.

Follow the link to know more about Bitcoin & Cryptocurrencies

In this Blockchain Tutorial, we will study a short introduction about blockchain. The article covers the original idea of Blockchain, the mode of operation and the applications possible of cryptocurrencies, as well as Blockchain technology. Bitcoin now comes up as digital currency, but the base of Bitcoin is blockchain and it could prove to be much more significant.

3. What is Blockchain Technology?

The Blockchain is the public ledger of all the Bitcoin transaction that is going to take place and which are already executed. It is growing at a constant rate as miners add new blocks to it in every 10 minutes in order to record all the transactions which took place in recent times. The blocks are always added to the Blockchain in a linear and in a chronological order. Each full node consists copy of the Blockchain, which gets download automatically as soon as the miner joins the bitcoin network. Blockchain technology contains all the necessary information about the balances and the addresses from the genesis block that is, the very first transactions executed to the most recently completed block. The Blockchain as a public account which means for any of the block explorers for transactions connected to a particular Bitcoin address.

In other words, it is a single LinkedList of a block, each block contains a number of transactions and provides a decentralized store that is visible around the globe by the whole network of users and acts as a mode of transfer of records of transaction offering a great transparency. The Blockchain Technology is immutable and the information remains in the same state.

In this Blockchain Tutorial, we will explore more about Blockchain Technology. Let’s start.

4. Blockchain Tutorial — History

With the invention of Bitcoin, Blockchain came into recognition and then implemented in 2009. Satoshi Nakamoto founds and implements it as a core component of Bitcoin. It became the first digital money which solved the problem of double spending

In the original papers of Satoshi, the names “Block” and “Chain” were used separately but it got popular by 2016 as a single word “Blockchain.”

5. How Blockchain Works?

In order to understand the working of Blockchain let us first understand the working of Bitcoin. However, Blockchain technology is applicable to any transaction taking place online

  1. An individual in the Blockchain network requests for a transaction.
  2. This request for the transaction is then displayed to the other members(i.e.- Nodes).
  3. The network of Nodes by verified algorithms then approves the transaction.
  4. After the approval of the request by the nodes, they complete the transaction.
  5. Immediately after the transaction, a new block is added to Blockchain network which is immutable.
  6. That verified transaction adds with other transaction making a new block of data.

Any person who wants to add information in the Blockchain must have a public address and a unique key to log in, private key signs the transaction. Every time you buy or sell Bitcoin, Bitcoin Blockchain adds that record. This information is highly secure as it duplicates thousands of time and any hacker need to control more than 51% of the nodes to make any modification.

Follow the link to learn more about Blockchain working

As this ledger is maintained by all the nodes and not by any centralized authority let us assume a bank it has several impacts:

  • Unlikely in a bank system one only has access to his own account i.e.- balance and his own transactions, but this is not the case with the Bitcoin Blockchain in this everyone can access to everyone’s account.
  • Bitcoin is less secure and trustworthy because of the reason that there is no help desk in bitcoin which a bank does.
  • In Blockchain, no trust issues arise, as mathematical codes and function obtain reliability.

In order to perform transactions in a Blockchain, you need a Waller, a program that allows you to store and share Bitcoin. Only you can use your wallet since a special cryptographic method protects it.

6. Benefits of Blockchain Technology

After studying working in this blockchain tutorial, let’s move towards some benefits of BlockChain Technology:

  1. Speed of transaction increases.
  2. Blockchain Technology is beneficial in cutting the cost and overcoming the complexity.
  3. It reduces data duplication.
  4. Distribution nature of Blockchain, there is no chances of failure.
  5. Governance and Trust.

In the Bitcoin Blockchain system, the majority of the members must agree to add the new data which becomes a part of the Blockchain. When a lot of people study, analyze and pass relative comment on stuff like duplications, it creates a much reliable and honest system.

Let’s explore Features of Blockchain

7. Blockchain Tutorial — Blockchain Applications

Next, in this Blockchain Tutorial, we will study some Blockchain applications, let’s discuss them one by one:

Blockchain Tutorial — Applications of Blockchain

a. Payments and Money Transfers

With the use of the Blockchain Technology, you will be able to make money transfer directly and safely to anyone you want and that too at a very low rate, this is because of the fact that there are no intermediaries slowing down the process of transfer between the bank.

This technology is highly useful, for those who have employees in a global marketplace.

b. Digital Identity

Blockchain technology tracks and manages the digital identities of the users which provide them both secure and efficient identity. The systems based on Blockchain authentication system provides verification of identities by the use of digital signature. Public key cryptography is the base of the digital signature.

Know why it is important to Learn Blockchain

8. Limitations of Blockchain

In this part of Blockchain tutorial, we will discuss some limitations of Blockchain:

Blockchain Tutorial — Blockchain Limitations

a. Risk of Errors

In Blockchain all the incoming data must be of high quality. The stored data must be in a threat if all the stored events not in an accurate manner.

b. Privacy

Data on Blockchain is shared to all the systems. This openness is not a safe approach for the storage of the data.

So, this was all Blockchain tutorial for beginners. Hope you like our explanation.

9. Conclusion

Hence, in this Blockchain tutorial, we studied Blockchain Technology and its introduction. Moreover, we looked at applications of Blockchain and Blockchain limitations. Further, we moved on benefits of Blockchain Technology. At last, we discussed Blockchain history. Next, we will learn advantages and disadvantages Of Blockchain Technology. Furthermore, if you have any query related to Blockchain tutorial, you can ask through the comment section.

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