Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies

4.

Blockchain Fundamentals

4.1.

The Concept of a Block

4.1.1.

Block Structure Overview

4.1.2.

4.1.2.1.

4.1.2.2.

Previous Block Hash

4.1.2.3.

4.1.2.4.

4.1.2.5.

4.1.2.6.

Difficulty Target

4.1.3.

4.1.3.1.

Transaction Data

4.1.3.2.

4.1.4.

Block Size Considerations

4.2.

Chaining Blocks Together

4.2.1.

Linking via Previous Block Hash

4.2.2.

The Role of Hash Pointers

4.2.3.

Chain Integrity

4.2.4.

4.2.4.1.

Definition and Importance

4.2.4.2.

Initial Parameters

4.3.

4.3.1.

Structure of a Transaction

4.3.1.1.

4.3.1.2.

4.3.1.3.

4.3.1.4.

4.3.1.5.

Transaction Fees

4.3.2.

Transaction Lifecycle

4.3.2.1.

4.3.2.2.

4.3.2.3.

4.3.2.4.

4.3.3.

Transaction Models

4.3.3.1.

4.3.3.1.1.

Input and Output Mechanism

4.3.3.1.2.

Double-Spending Prevention

4.3.3.1.3.

4.3.3.2.

Account-Based Model

4.3.3.2.1.

Account Balances

4.3.3.2.2.

4.3.3.2.3.

Nonce Management

4.4.

Merkle Trees and Merkle Roots

4.4.1.

Structure of Merkle Trees

4.4.2.

Merkle Root Calculation

4.4.3.

Verifying Data Integrity

4.4.4.

Simplified Payment Verification

4.4.4.1.

Lightweight Clients

4.4.4.2.

Proof of Inclusion

4.4.4.3.

Security Assumptions

4.5.

Block Validation and Propagation

4.5.1.

Validation Rules

4.5.2.

Network Propagation

4.5.3.

4.5.4.

Chain Reorganization

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3. Introduction to Distributed Ledger Technology

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5. Consensus Mechanisms