What Is a Blockchain and How Does It Work?
A blockchain is a distributed database that is shared among network nodes. As a database, a blockchain maintains information in digital format electronically. In cryptocurrency systems such as Bitcoin, blockchains play a critical function in keeping a secure and decentralized ledger of transactions. A blockchain’s novelty is that it ensures the integrity and security of a data record and produces trust without the requirement for a trusted third party.
For more detail: How To Develop Blockchain | Ultimate Guide To Blockchain App Development
Types of Blockchain
Primarily, there are two sorts of blockchains: private and public. Nevertheless, there are numerous variants, such as Consortium and Hybrid blockchains. Before we delve into the specifics of the many types of blockchains, let’s examine their commonalities. Each blockchain consists of a group of nodes operating on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network infrastructure. Each node in a network maintains a copy of the shared ledger, which is promptly updated. Each node is capable of validating transactions, initiating or receiving transactions, and creating blocks.
Now, let’s examine the four different blockchain types in further depth.
Public Blockchain
A public blockchain is a permissionless, non-restrictive distributed ledger technology. Anyone with internet access can register on a blockchain platform in order to become an authorized node and participate in the blockchain network. A node or user that is part of the public blockchain is permitted to access current and historical information, verify transactions or perform proof-of-work for incoming blocks, and mine. The most fundamental applications of public blockchains are cryptocurrency mining and exchange. Thus, Bitcoin and Litecoin are the most prevalent public blockchains. The majority of public blockchains are secure if users closely adhere to security rules and practices. However, it is only dangerous if the participants do not adhere to the security protocols with integrity.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin as an Example
Private Blockchain System
A private blockchain is a permissioned or restricted blockchain that operates within a closed network. Private blockchains are typically utilized within a company or enterprise where only a select few individuals are permitted to participate in a blockchain network. The controlling organization is in control of the level of security, authorizations, permissions, and accessibility. Thus, private blockchains function similarly to public blockchains but have a restricted and limited network. Private blockchain networks are implemented for voting, supply chain management, digital identity, and asset ownership, among other applications.
Private blockchains include Multichain and Hyperledger projects (Fabric, Sawtooth), Corda, and others.
Consortium Blockchain Technology
A consortium blockchain is a semi-decentralized kind in which multiple organizations control a network of blockchains. Contrary to what we observed with a private blockchain, which is administered by a single entity, this is the case. In this type of blockchain, multiple organizations can operate as nodes and communicate information or perform mining. Typically, consortium blockchains are utilized by banks, government agencies, etc.
The Energy Web Foundation and R3 are examples of consortium blockchains.
Hybrid Blockchain
A hybrid blockchain combines public and private blockchains. It utilizes the characteristics of both types of blockchains, allowing for both private permission-based systems and public permission-less systems. With such a hybrid network, users can regulate who has access to which blockchain-stored data. Only a subset of the blockchain’s data or records can be made public, with the remainder remaining secret on the private network.
The hybrid blockchain technology is adaptable, allowing users to quickly connect a private blockchain to numerous public blockchains. A transaction on a hybrid blockchain’s private network is often verified within that network. However, users may also submit it to the public blockchain to be validated. Public blockchains boost hashing and verification by involving additional nodes. This strengthens the blockchain network’s security and transparency.
Dragonchain is a hybrid blockchain example.
Solidity
Solidity is an object-oriented, high-level programming language for automating transactions using smart contracts on the blockchain. Participants to the Ethereum project created the language when it was suggested in 2014. This language is predominantly employed for the creation of smart contracts on the Ethereum network.
Related Blog: How Can You Smartly Develop Smart Contracts based on Solidity in 2022?
According to its documentation, “Solidity is a language using curly brackets. It is influenced by C++, Python, and JavaScript and is intended for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
Solidity is also considered a JavaScript dialect. Therefore, if you are familiar with JavaScript, learning Solidity should be simple. Before learning more about solidity, let’s review some fundamental blockchain terms.
Ethereum Virtual Machine
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) provides the runtime environment for Ethereum smart contracts. The Ethereum Virtual Machine focuses on providing security and enabling machines all around the globe to execute programs.
Virtual machines effectively construct an abstraction layer between the code and the executing machine. It must promote software portability and ensure that programs are isolated from one another and the host.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine was developed to provide a runtime environment for smart contracts based on Ethereum.
Smart Contract
A smart contract is a decentralized program that executes business logic in response to events. Execution of a smart contract may result in the exchange of funds, delivery of services, unlocking of information protected by digital rights management, and other forms of data manipulation, such as changing the name on a property title. Frequently, smart contracts are written in Solidity.
Languages for smart contracts such as Solidity cannot be directly executed by the Ethereum Virtual Machine. They are instead transformed to opcodes, which are low-level machine instructions.
Now that you are familiar with EVM and Smart Contract, we will continue our study of Solidity
Smart Contracts Use
Smart contracts can be utilized in numerous industries, including healthcare, supply chain, and financial services. Examples include the following:
1. Governmental Voting Procedure
Smart contracts create a safe environment that makes the electoral process less susceptible to manipulation. Votes utilizing smart contracts would be ledger-protected, making them very challenging to decipher.
In addition, smart contracts could raise voter turnout, which has historically been low due to the inefficient system that requires voters to line up, present identification, and fills out paperwork. When votes are exchanged online via smart contracts, the number of participants in a voting system can expand.
2. Medical Care
Patients’ encoded health records can be stored on blockchain using a private key. Due to privacy issues, only particular individuals would be permitted access to the documents. Using smart contracts, similarly confidential and secure research can be undertaken.
All patient hospital receipts can be kept on the blockchain and shared automatically with insurance providers as proof of service. In addition, the ledger can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including inventory management, drug monitoring, and regulation compliance.
3. Distribution Channel
Historically, supply chains have been hampered by paper-based processes in which forms move through many approval channels. The cumbersome procedure increases the possibility of fraud and loss.
By offering an accessible and secure digital version to all parties involved in the chain, blockchain can eliminate such concerns. Smart contracts can be utilized for inventory management, payment, and task automation.
4. Economic Services
In numerous ways, smart contracts contribute to the transformation of conventional financial services. In the case of insurance claims, they execute error verification, routing, and money transfer to the user if all criteria are met.
Smart contracts contain essential bookkeeping capabilities and avoid the potential of accounting record intrusion. They also enable shareholders to participate in transparent decision-making. In addition, they aid in trade clearing, which involves the transfer of funds following the calculation of trade settlement amounts.
Advantages of Smart Contracts
Independence and savings
Smart contracts do not require brokers or other middlemen to certify the agreement; hence, they eliminate the possibility of third-party manipulation. In addition, the absence of a middleman results in cost savings for smart contracts.
Backup
Thus, in the event of data loss, the originals of all documents saved on the blockchain can be reconstructed.
Security
Smart contracts are encrypted, and cryptography safeguards all papers against intrusion.
Rate
Using computer protocols, smart contracts automate jobs, saving hours on a variety of commercial procedures.
Accuracy
Using smart contracts eliminates the errors that result from manually filling out several forms.
Drawbacks of Smart Contract
Difficult to Change
Changing smart contract processes is nearly hard, and any error in the code can be costly and time-consuming to fix.
Loopholes Prone
According to the principle of good faith, parties to a contract will deal fairly and not gain unethical benefits. However, the use of smart contracts makes it impossible to ensure that the agreed-upon terms are met.
Third-party
Although smart contracts strive to eliminate the involvement of third parties, it is not possible to do so. In alternative contracts, third parties play distinct responsibilities than in standard contracts. For instance, lawyers will not be required to draft individual contracts, but they will be required to comprehend the conditions in order to build codes for smart contracts.
Vague Terms
Due to the fact that contracts contain terminology that is not always understood, smart contracts are not always able to handle unclear terms and conditions.
Read More: Avalanche Blockchain: A Guide of the Well-Known ‘Ethereum-Killer’ Blockchain
Conclusion
Hope you’re clear about what exactly is Solidity, Blockchain, and Smart Contract. Blockchain and Ethereum smart contract solution development
will teach you how to build amazing apps with Ethereum’s smart contracts and solid decentralized programming techniques!
Thanks For Reading!