Introduction
Blockchain technology has revolutionized how we think about digital trust and decentralized systems. This comprehensive glossary breaks down essential blockchain terminology into clear categories, helping both beginners and experts navigate this complex field.
Core Blockchain Terminology
Fundamental Concepts
- Blockchain: A cryptographically secured structure for storing and processing information without centralized trust.
- Byzantine Failure: System errors beyond simple delays, including message tampering or protocol violations that can deliberately disrupt operations.
- Consensus: Distributed system participants agreeing on information (typically event sequencing).
- Decentralization: Systems operating without centralized third parties, sometimes called "multi-centralization."
- Distributed Ledger: A decentralized (or multi-centralized) record-keeping platform maintained by multiple entities.
Technical Infrastructure
- CDN (Content Delivery Network): Geographically distributed cache servers for rapid resource delivery.
- DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology): Technologies enabling distributed ledgers, including blockchain and permission management.
- Gossip Protocol: P2P data synchronization method where nodes randomly forward information to neighbors.
- P2P Network: Decentralized communication networks with equal-status nodes.
👉 Discover how blockchain networks achieve consensus
Cryptography & Security Terms
Encryption Standards
- ASN.1: Standard for data description/encoding used in computing and security.
- PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): Security framework based on public-key cryptography.
- SM Algorithms: China's commercial cryptography standards (SM2-4, SM9) for encryption and signatures.
Certificate Management
- CA (Certificate Authority): Core PKI entity that creates/issued digital certificates.
- OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol): Real-time certificate validation protocol.
- ZKP (Zero-knowledge Proof): Proving statements without revealing extraneous information.
Bitcoin & Ethereum Ecosystem
Mining Concepts
- Mining: Computational process to discover new blocks and earn cryptocurrency rewards.
- PoW (Proof of Work): Consensus requiring computational effort (e.g., solving SHA256 hashes).
- PoS (Proof of Stake): Consensus weighted by cryptocurrency holdings.
Network Technologies
- Lightning Network: Off-chain micropayment channels for scalability.
- Sybil Attack: Attackers masquerading as multiple nodes to disrupt networks.
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Hyperledger Framework
Architecture Components
- Chaincode: Blockchain application code (extended smart contracts) supporting multiple languages.
- Channel: Fabric's private data isolation mechanism where only members see transactions.
- MSP (Member Service Provider): Modular component handling identity services.
Consensus Roles
- Endorser: Peer nodes validating/endorsing transactions.
- Orderer: Nodes providing global transaction ordering.
- Committer: Nodes writing validated transactions to storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blockchain Basics
Q: What's the difference between blockchain and DLT?
A: Blockchain is one type of DLT that uses chained blocks. Other DLTs may use different structures.
Q: How does decentralization improve security?
A: By eliminating single points of failure and requiring consensus among multiple nodes.
Cryptography
Q: Why are SM algorithms significant?
A: They represent China's sovereign cryptographic standards now recognized internationally.
Hyperledger
Q: When should organizations use channels?
A: When needing private transaction visibility among select members while participating in larger networks.
Conclusion
This glossary provides foundational knowledge across blockchain's technical spectrum. As the technology evolves, new terms will emerge, but these core concepts remain essential for understanding decentralized systems.