"Blockchain" technology was originally a special database technology designed by a pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto for Bitcoin (a digital currency), which is based on the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) in cryptography To achieve a decentralized P2P system design. But the role of blockchain is not limited to Bitcoin. Now, when people use the word "blockchain", sometimes it refers to data structure, sometimes it refers to database, sometimes it refers to database technology, but no matter what it means, it has no necessary connection with Bitcoin.
The blockchain can be simply divided into three layers, the protocol layer, the extension layer and the application layer. Among them, the protocol layer can be divided into storage layer and network layer, which are independent but inseparable.
1. Data Layer/Data Layer The data layer mainly describes the physical form of the blockchain. It is a chain structure starting from the genesis block on the blockchain, including the block data, chain structure and area of the blockchain. Random numbers, timestamps, public and private key data, etc. on the block are the lowest data structures in the entire blockchain technology.
2. Network layer / Network Layer The network layer mainly realizes the mechanism of the distributed network through P2P technology. The network layer includes the P2P networking mechanism, the data dissemination mechanism and the data verification mechanism. Therefore, the blockchain is essentially a P2P network with automatic The mechanism of networking, nodes maintain communication by maintaining a common blockchain structure.
3. Consensus Layer / Consensus Layer The consensus layer mainly includes consensus algorithms and consensus mechanisms, which enable highly dispersed nodes to efficiently reach consensus on the validity of block data in a decentralized blockchain network. One of the core technologies is also the governance mechanism of the blockchain community. At present, there are at least dozens of consensus mechanism algorithms, including Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, Proof of Stake Authorization, Proof of Burning, Proof of Importance, etc.
4. Incentive layer / Actuator Layer The incentive layer mainly includes the issuance system and distribution system of economic incentives. Its function is to provide certain incentives, encourage nodes to participate in the security verification work in the blockchain, and incorporate economic factors into the blockchain technology. In the system, nodes that follow the rules and participate in bookkeeping are incentivized, and nodes that do not follow the rules are punished.
5. Contract Layer / Contract Layer The contract layer mainly includes various scripts, codes, algorithm mechanisms and smart contracts, which are the basis of blockchain programmability. Embedding the code into the blockchain or token, realizing a customizable smart contract, and automatically executing it without going through a third party when certain constraints are met, is the basis for de-trusting the blockchain .
6. Application Layer / Application Layer The application layer of the blockchain encapsulates various application scenarios and cases, similar to applications on computer operating systems, portal websites on Internet browsers, search engines, electronic malls or mobile phones. APP, deploying blockchain technology applications on Ethereum, EOS, QTUM and landing in real life scenarios. The future programmable finance and programmable society will also be built on the application layer.
From this perspective, the blockchain can be structured to develop any type of product, not just in the financial industry. In the future, with the improvement of the underlying protocol, any product that requires third-party payment can easily use blockchain technology; any information that needs to be confirmed, credited and traced can be realized with the help of blockchain. I personally feel that this goal should be achieved very soon.
Block + chain = timestamp, which is the biggest innovation of the blockchain database. The blockchain database allows the recorders of the entire network to stamp a timestamp in each block for accounting, indicating that the information was written at this time, forming a database that cannot be tampered with and cannot be forged.