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Chapter 1 improvements (#89) #98

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Chapter 1 improvements (#89) #98

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Chapter 1 improvements (#89)
nathalie-ckc Sep 18, 2018
0a7daa3
Address review feedback for PR#98
nathalie-ckc Sep 19, 2018
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15 changes: 7 additions & 8 deletions LFS171x/docs/discovering-blockchain-technologies.md
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Expand Up @@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
- [Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)](#distributed-ledger-technology-dlt)
- [Video: Blockchain Technology (Robert Schwentker)](#video-blockchain-technology-robert-schwentker)
- [Blockchains](#blockchains)
- [Video: The Difference between DLT and Blockchains (Brian Behlendorf)](#video-the-difference-between-dlt-and-blockchains-brian-behlendorf)
- [Blockchains (Continued)](#blockchains-continued)
- [Merkle Tree](#merkle-tree)
- [Video: What Is a Blockchain? (Dave Huseby)](#video-what-is-a-blockchain-dave-huseby)
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -123,22 +122,22 @@ According to [hyperledger.org](https://www.hyperledger.org),

**Consensus** refers to a system of ensuring that parties agree to a certain state of the system as the true state.

## Video: The Difference between DLT and Blockchains (Brian Behlendorf)

[![The Difference between DLT and Blockchains (Brian Behlendorf)](../images/video-image.png)](https://youtu.be/02IAHzvCh34)

## Blockchains (Continued)

**Blockchain** is a specific form or subset of distributed ledger technologies, which constructs a chronological chain of blocks, hence the name 'block-chain'. A **block** refers to a set of transactions that are bundled together and added to the chain at the same time. In the Bitcoin blockchain, the miner nodes bundle unconfirmed and valid transactions into a block. Each block contains a given number of transactions. In the Bitcoin network, miners must solve a cryptographic challenge to propose the next block. This process is known as '**proof of work**', and requires significant computing power. We shall discuss proof of work in more detail in the Consensus Algorithms section. For a brief history of blockchain technology, please click here.
**Blockchain** is a specific form or subset of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), which constructs a chronological chain of blocks, hence the name 'block-chain'. Examples of other DLTs are Chain Core, Corda, Quorum, and IOTA. They will be covered later in this chapter.

A **block** refers to a set of transactions that are bundled together and added to the chain at the same time.

Timestamping is another key feature of blockchain technology. Each block is timestamped, with each new block referring to the previous block. Combined with **cryptographic hashes**, this timestamped chain of blocks provides an immutable record of all transactions in the network, from the very first (or genesis) block.

A block commonly consists of four pieces of metadata:
In the Bitcoin blockchain, the miner nodes bundle unconfirmed and valid transactions into a block. Each block contains a given number of transactions. In the Bitcoin network, miners must solve a cryptographic challenge to propose the next block. This process is known as '**proof of work**', and requires significant computing power. We shall discuss proof of work in more detail in the Consensus Algorithms section. For a brief history of blockchain technology, please click [here](https://hbr.org/2017/02/a-brief-history-of-blockchain).

A Bitcoin block consists of four pieces of metadata:

* The reference to the previous block
* The proof of work, also known as a nonce
* The timestamp
* The Merkle tree root for the transactions included in this block.
* The Merkle tree root for the transactions included in this block. (Merkle tree is explained next)

## Merkle Tree

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