In recent years , #blockchain# technology has become more and more popular. Some people are obsessed with digital currency, and some people are promoting "blockchain +". Behind the hotness is the bubble or loneliness. Today we will talk about the blockchain in detail. The full text is 3000 words, and the conclusion is at the end.
1. The origin of blockchain
The concept of blockchain was first derived from Bitcoin.
Bitcoin (Bitcoin) was born in 2008. It was first proposed by a person named Satoshi Nakamoto. This person is very mysterious and there is no accurate information about him so far. Shortly after it was proposed, Bitcoin was born.
The core technology of Bitcoin and other digital currencies is called blockchain technology. Blockchain (Blockchain) is a data structure or data storage method in information technology. It innovatively combines cryptographic technology, peer-to-peer (P2P) network, distributed deployment and other technologies, which can be called an epoch-making concept.
2. Overview of blockchain technology
1.1 Structure of Blockchain
As shown below:
blockchain structureA typical blockchain is composed of a series of blocks, which consist of Pre-Hash, Block Time and records.
Foresight , similar to the seal on the file, is used to ensure that the content of the block is not changed. Each block of the blockchain forms a Hash value (that is, a seal) through computer operations, and stores it in the foreword of the second block. This Hash value is unique, and if the content of the block changes, the Hash value will also change, thus ensuring that the content of the block cannot be changed. The ingenuity of the blockchain design is that the latter block saves the Hash value of the previous block, and the blocks are linked to each other to form a blockchain.
The block time is used to record the time when a block is formed.
Records are used to record all the information that needs to be saved, which can be transaction information, a sentence or others.
1.2 Operating mechanism
In addition to sophisticated structural design, the blockchain also needs a rigorous mechanism to ensure the stable operation of the blockchain, which is also the core innovation point of the blockchain and solves the trust problem.
Blockchain Operation MechanismThe blockchain adopts a distributed storage architecture, and the data of the blockchain is completely stored on all nodes of the blockchain network. The metaphor of the image is that I have made countless copies of a file and saved it in different places in the world. Anyone who wants to tamper with the records must modify the records of each node. When there are enough nodes, this kind of tampering cannot be realized. This is the mystery of the blockchain's anti-tampering.
1.3 Mining
As mentioned earlier, the blockchain is formed by linking blocks one by one. How is the next block generated?
miningIf you want to add records to the blockchain, you must meet the requirements specified by the blockchain and find blocks that meet the standards. This process is commonly known as mining. Because there are many people mining, in order to solve blockchain synchronization and counterfeit chain attacks, it is necessary to increase the difficulty of mining. The method of increasing difficulty is called POW (Proof of Work) algorithm. If you are interested in the specific algorithm, you can search it . This algorithm turns a simple calculation into hundreds of millions of repeated calculations, greatly increasing the difficulty of calculation.
The process of mining is repetition and luck. The first miner who digs out this block will inform all nodes and put this block on the chain. The miner will be rewarded (that is, various digital currencies), and all miners will start to calculate again. next block. Because graphics cards are very good at repeating simple calculations and are loved by absentees, the price of high-end graphics cards is now rising.
Of course, it should be noted here that the POW algorithm or even the mining process is not necessary. The POW algorithm is a type of consensus algorithm, and other consensus algorithms can also be used in the blockchain.
1.4 The relationship between bitcoin (digital currency) and blockchain
Bitcoin and other digital currencies are based on the application of blockchain technology. Bitcoin has formulated a set of rules. Every time a block is calculated, a certain amount of Bitcoin is obtained. Each block records Bitcoin and Bitcoin transaction information. In layman's terms, Bitcoin is a record on the blockchain.
1.5 Summary of blockchain technology
After the above analysis, we summarize several characteristics of the blockchain:
One is that the blockchain can be used to store data or information;
Second, the information stored in the blockchain can hardly be changed (unless the block Hash is modified one by one);
The third is that every node of the blockchain is equal, and there is no difference between the control end and the client end, which is commonly referred to as decentralization.
2. Other technologies related to blockchain
2.1 Smart contract
Smart contract (Smart contract) technology was proposed in the 1990s. It is an automated program based on a computer based on a pre-drawn agreement, without human intervention throughout the process. Smart contracts effectively reduce transaction costs. Generally speaking, when we shop online, we need the participation of merchants, buyers and Alipay. If the transaction process between merchants and buyers is reliable enough, then third parties like Alipay do not need to participate, which greatly saves transaction costs.
Because the problem of trust cannot be solved, smart contracts are only theoretical, and blockchain technology just makes up for the lack of trust.
2.2 Multiple Consensus Algorithms
Consensus algorithms, also known as consensus mechanisms, are used to solve data synchronization problems in distributed deployments. For example, in the above-mentioned blockchain network, a node receives two block chain entry requests at the same time, which one the node should join requires a consensus algorithm to judge. Common consensus algorithms include: Proof of authority, Proof of personality, Proof of space, Proof of stake, Proof of work, etc. Not introduced.
2.3 Distributed Fault Tolerance Mechanism
The fault tolerance mechanism is to solve problems such as data errors and malicious attacks in the distributed node network.
3. Application of blockchain
At present, the most important application of blockchain is digital currency such as Bitcoin. The value of blockchain has not been fully tapped. Under foreseeable circumstances, blockchain is not suitable for more detailed application scenarios, such as online shopping, transfer, etc. , and play a role in solving organizational or inter-agency trust.
Blockchain applicationThe first is to resolve the issue of international trust. Establish an equal trust relationship in cross-border trade, international cooperation, currency settlement, stock futures trading, etc., and further promote the development of globalization. For example, some experts proposed that "the blockchain should be promoted first within the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative".
The second is data sharing based on blockchain. Taking government affairs data sharing as an example, to establish a government affairs blockchain within the government, traditional data sharing requires the construction of a complex exchange mechanism, while a blockchain-based sharing mechanism can accurately record the information of citizens and legal persons. Each department only It is necessary to establish a local node and join the blockchain network, and update the records of the department to the chain. The node department on the blockchain can obtain all shared data based on smart contracts without complicated confirmation and audit.
The third is as a deposit certificate, in the scenarios of intellectual property rights, transaction records, service registration, etc., the blockchain is used as a deposit certificate. Under the current widespread application, the so-called blockchain is dominated by powerful parties, lacking multi-party participation to form a consensus, and it is difficult to form trust. Based on multi-party mutual trust, building and sharing alliance chains is the future application direction.
4. Blockchain development policy
At the policy level, blockchain technology has been raised to unprecedented heights.
Policy SupportOn the afternoon of October 24, 2019, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China conducted the eighteenth collective study on the development status and trends of blockchain technology. Emphasize that the integrated application of blockchain technology plays an important role in new technological innovation and industrial transformation. Blockchain should be taken as an important breakthrough point for independent innovation of core technologies, clarify the main direction of attack, increase investment, and strive to overcome a number of key issues.
In the "14th Five-Year Plan" outline (draft), the blockchain is included in the plan: "Cultivate and expand emerging digital industries such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, and network security, and improve communication equipment. , core electronic components, key software and other industrial levels.”
It should be noted that the national blockchain application adopts a filing system. According to the "Blockchain Information Service Management Regulations", "Blockchain information service providers should pass the National Internet Information Office within ten working days from the date of providing services. The blockchain information service filing management system fills in information such as the name of the service provider, service category, service form, application field, server address, etc., and performs the filing procedures."
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V. Summary
1. Blockchain is a chained storage structure that can be used to record data, similar to files or notepads.
2. In the blockchain based on trust and consensus, the data cannot be changed, just like the alteration of files is invalid.
3. Bitcoin is an application based on blockchain technology and cannot be confused with blockchain.
4. Blockchain technology is a digital technology highly supported by China at present, and it is also the future development direction.
5. In the future, blockchain technology will be widely used in international cooperation, data sharing, financial transactions, trusted certification and other fields, and it is also the password for wealth growth.
6. The application of the current blockchain is very immature, and it must be a scam to let you join the blockchain to make a fortune.