Introduction
Blockchain is an important concept of Bitcoin. It is essentially a decentralized database and also serves as the underlying technology of Bitcoin. Blockchain is a series of data blocks associated with cryptographic methods. Each data block contains information about a Bitcoin network transaction, which is used to verify the validity of the information (anti-counterfeiting) and generate the next block. In a narrow sense, a blockchain is a chained data structure that combines data blocks in a sequential manner in chronological order, and is a cryptographically guaranteed non-tamperable and non-forgeable distributed ledger. Broadly speaking, blockchain technology uses block-chain data structures to verify and store data, uses distributed node consensus algorithms to generate and update data, uses cryptography to ensure the security of data transmission and access, and uses automated scripts. A new distributed infrastructure and computing paradigm in which smart contracts composed of codes are used to program and manipulate data.
Blockchain hierarchical structure
1. Data layer
The data layer mainly describes the physical form of the blockchain, which is the creation area on the blockchain. Block start chain structure.
Contains the block data of the blockchain, the chain structure and the random number, timestamp, public and private key data on the block, is the lowest level data in the entire blockchain technology Structure.
2. Network layer
The network layer mainly implements the mechanism of distributed network through P2P technology. The network layer includes P2P networking mechanism, data dissemination mechanism and data verification mechanism .
Therefore, the blockchain is essentially a P2P network with an automatic networking mechanism. Nodes maintain a common blockchain structure to maintain communication.
III. Consensus layer
The consensus layer mainly includes consensus algorithms and consensus mechanisms, allowing highly dispersed nodes to efficiently target block data in a decentralized blockchain network Reach a consensus on the effectiveness of.
It is one of the core technologies of the blockchain and the governance mechanism of the blockchain community. At present, there are at least dozens of consensus mechanism algorithms, including proof of workload, proof of rights, proof of rights authorization, proof of burning, proof of importance, etc.
Data layer, network layer, and consensus layer are necessary elements to build blockchain technology. Without any layer, it cannot be called blockchain technology in the true sense.
Fourth, the incentive layer
The incentive layer mainly includes the issuance system and distribution system of economic incentives, and its function is to provide certain incentives to encourage nodes to participate in the security verification work in the blockchain , And incorporate economic factors into the blockchain technology system to incentivize nodes that abide by the rules and participate in bookkeeping, and punish nodes that do not abide by the rules.
V. Contract layer
The contract layer mainly includes various scripts, codes, algorithm mechanisms and smart contracts, and is the basis of blockchain programming.
It embeds the code in the blockchain or token to implement a customizable smart contract, and when certain constraints are reached, it can be automatically executed without going through a third party. is the basis of trustless blockchain.
VI. Application layer
The application layer of the blockchain encapsulates various application scenarios and cases, similar to applications on computer operating systems and Internet browsers Portals, search engines, e-shops or apps on mobile phones.
It deploys blockchain technology applications on Ethereum, eos, and qtum and puts it in real-life scenarios. The future programmable finance and programmable society will also be built on the application layer.
Incentive layer, contract layer and application layer are not necessary factors for every blockchain application. Some blockchain applications do not completely include this three-layer structure.