AL802 (A) Blockchain Practical
AL802 (A) Blockchain Practical
AL802 (A) Blockchain Practical
QUES1: Explain the concept of blockchain and its key components, including
public ledgers, smart contracts, and transactions. Discuss the differences
between public and private blockchains.
ANS :
Blockchain is a decentralized, digital ledger that records transactions and data
across a network of computers. It is a chain of blocks, hence the name
blockchain, where each block contains a set of transactions.
Public Ledgers:
Imagine a giant, digital record book that's accessible to everyone. This
record book stores all the transactions that happen on a blockchain
network. Unlike traditional ledgers controlled by a single entity (like a
bank), a blockchain ledger is distributed across a network of computers.
Each computer on the network has a complete copy of the ledger,
ensuring everyone agrees on the recorded information. This
transparency builds trust because there's no single point of failure or
manipulation.
Transactions:
These are the entries written into the public ledger. They represent any
exchange of value or information on the network.
In a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, transactions represent the transfer of
coins from one user to another. Other blockchains can handle different
types of transactions, like transferring ownership of digital assets, voting
in a decentralized system, or even recording the movement of goods in a
supply chain.
Each transaction typically includes details like:
o Sender: The address of the party initiating the transaction.
o Receiver: The address of the party receiving the transaction.
o Amount/Data: The value or information being transferred.
Smart Contracts:
Think of these as self-executing agreements stored directly on the
blockchain ledger.
They define the rules and conditions that need to be met for the
agreement to be fulfilled. Once those conditions are met, the smart
contract automatically executes the agreed-upon actions without the
need for a third party.
Here's an example: Imagine a real estate transaction. A smart contract
can be programmed to hold the buyer's funds securely until specific
conditions are met (like property inspection and approval). Once those
conditions are verified, the smart contract automatically releases the
funds to the seller.
Private Blockchains:
Restricted to a specific group of individuals or organizations, with limited
access and control
Centralized, with a single entity or a small group controlling the network
Transactions are private, with limited visibility and confidentiality
Only authorized participants can join the network and participate in the
consensus mechanism
Examples: Private blockchain networks used by companies,
organizations, or governments
QUES 2: Explore the relationship between cryptocurrency and blockchain
technology. How does blockchain enable secure and transparent transactions
in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin?
ANS:
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are intricately linked, with
blockchain being the underlying technology that enables the creation and
management of cryptocurrencies.
QUES 1: Describe the process of creating coins and making payments using
Bitcoin. Explain the challenges of double spending and how Bitcoin scripts
address these issues.
ANS:
Process of creating coins.
The process of creating coins involves several stages, from designing to minting.
Here’s an overview of the steps involved:
Design: The process begins with designing the coin’s design, which
includes the image, text, and other features. This is done by artists and
designers who work closely with government agencies or organizations
responsible for issuing the coins.
Die making: Once the design is finalized, the design is used to create a
metal die, which is a metal stamp with the design engraved on it. The die
is used to strike the coin.
Blanking: The next step is to create the blank, which is a round piece of
metal that will become the coin. This is done using a blanking press,
which punches out the blank from a metal coil.
Annealing: The blanks are then transported to an annealing furnace,
where they are heated to a specific temperature to make them soft and
pliable.
Striking: The blanks are then struck with the die to create the coin. This
process involves placing the blank between the die and a second die, and
then striking it with a large hammer or press.
Inspection: After striking, the coins are inspected for quality and
accuracy. Any coins that do not meet the required standards are
removed from the production process.
Packaging and distribution: The coins are then packaged and distributed
to financial institutions, businesses, and individuals.
Making payments using Bitcoin
Making payments using Bitcoin is a convenient and secure way to transact
online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Accepting Bitcoin Payments
To accept Bitcoin payments, you can use a digital wallet, such as the
Bitcoin.com Wallet app, which allows you to safely and easily send,
receive, buy, sell, trade, use, and manage Bitcoin and other
cryptocurrencies. You can also use third-party payment processors like
Coinbase and BitPay to set up a website payment gateway for BTC
transactions.
Using QR Codes
QR codes make it easy to use your smartphone to pay from a Bitcoin
wallet app or from your Coinbase account balance using the Coinbase
app. Simply scan the QR code and it will pre-fill the recipient’s Bitcoin
address and the requested payment amount. Once you send the
transaction, the payment is complete.
ANS:
Miners play a crucial role in the Bitcoin network, as they are responsible for
verifying and adding new transactions to the blockchain. The process of
verifying transactions is called mining, and it involves solving a complex
mathematical puzzle, known as a hash function, to validate the transactions
and create a new block. The miner who solves the puzzle first gets to add the
new block to the blockchain and is rewarded with newly minted Bitcoins.
The Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism is the algorithm used to secure
the Bitcoin network. It is a decentralized and distributed system that ensures
the integrity and security of the blockchain. The PoW mechanism works as
follows:
1. Miners collect and verify transactions from the network and create a
block.
2. The miner then uses a cryptographic hash function to create a unique
digital fingerprint, or “hash,” for the block.
3. The miner must find a hash that meets a specific criteria, known as the
“target hash,” which is a predetermined number of leading zeros.
4. The miner must repeatedly adjust the block’s data, such as the
timestamp or the transaction data, until the hash meets the target hash.
5. Once the miner finds a valid hash, they broadcast the block to the
network.
6. Other nodes on the network verify the block and the transactions within
it, ensuring that the block is valid and the transactions are legitimate.
7. If the block is valid, the nodes add it to their copy of the blockchain, and
the miner is rewarded with newly minted Bitcoins.
The significance of PoW in securing the blockchain lies in its ability to:
Ensure the integrity of the blockchain: By requiring miners to solve a
complex mathematical puzzle, PoW ensures that the blockchain is
tamper-proof and resistant to attacks.
Prevent double-spending: PoW prevents an attacker from spending the
same Bitcoin twice, as the blockchain is updated in real-time and all
nodes verify the transactions.
Incentivize honest behavior: The reward system, where miners are
rewarded with newly minted Bitcoins, incentivizes miners to act honestly
and follow the rules of the network.
Promote decentralization: PoW is a decentralized system, where anyone
can participate in mining and verifying transactions, making it difficult for
a single entity to control the network.
QUES 2: Discuss the benefits of using blockchain for identity verification and
customer due diligence?
ANS :
Blockchain technology offers several benefits when it comes to identity
verification and customer due diligence. Increased Security: Blockchain-based
identity verification provides a secure and tamper-proof way to store and verify
identities. This is achieved through the use of advanced cryptography and
smart contracts, which ensure that data is encrypted and can only be accessed
by authorized parties.
Enhanced Transparency: Blockchain technology provides a transparent and
auditable record of all transactions and interactions, making it easier to track
and verify identities. This transparency also helps to build trust between
parties, as all transactions are recorded on a public ledger that can be viewed
by anyone.
Improved Efficiency: Blockchain-based identity verification can speed up the
verification process, reducing the time and effort required to verify identities.
This is achieved through the use of automated processes and smart contracts,
which can automate many of the tasks involved in identity verification.
Reduced Costs: By reducing the need for intermediaries and manual
processing, blockchain-based identity verification can help to reduce costs
associated with identity verification. This can lead to cost savings for both
individuals and businesses.
Increased Trust: Blockchain technology can help to establish a trusted and
secure environment for identity verification, which can increase trust between
parties. This is achieved through the use of advanced cryptography and smart
contracts, which ensure that data is secure and can only be accessed by
authorized parties.
Decentralized Control: Blockchain technology allows individuals to have control
over their own identities, without relying on intermediaries. This decentralized
control can help to reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud.
Some of the key benefits of using blockchain technology in the food industry
include:
Improved traceability: Blockchain technology enables the tracking of
food products from farm to table, allowing consumers to know the
origin, quality, and safety of their food.
Increased transparency: Blockchain technology provides a transparent
record of the food supply chain, enabling consumers to make informed
decisions about the food they eat.
Reduced fraud: Blockchain technology’s tamper-proof nature makes it
difficult for fraudulent activities, such as food tampering or
counterfeiting, to occur.
Improved food safety: Blockchain technology enables the rapid
identification and recall of contaminated or spoiled food products,
reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Cost savings: Blockchain technology can reduce costs associated with
food recalls and product testing by enabling swift identification and
removal of contaminated products.
Several companies are already utilizing blockchain technology in the food
industry, including Bumblebee Foods, Tyson Foods, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, and
Walmart. For example, Bumblebee Foods uses blockchain technology to record
its tuna operations and improve product traceability, while Tyson Foods uses
blockchain to track its chicken products from farm to table.
ASSIGNMENT 5
Peers: Peers are the nodes that make up the network and are responsible for
maintaining a copy of the ledger. Each peer has a unique identity and is
responsible for validating transactions and updating the ledger. Peers can be
divided into two categories: endorsing peers and committing peers. Endorsing
peers are responsible for executing smart contracts and endorsing transactions,
while committing peers are responsible for committing transactions to the
ledger.
ANS:
Hyperledger Fabric is a popular blockchain framework for building enterprise-
grade blockchain applications. It utilizes smart contracts, called chaincode, to
define the business logic and rules that govern transactions on the network.
Here's a breakdown of the process for writing smart contracts using
Hyperledger Fabric:
1. Prerequisites:
Development Environment: Set up your development environment with
Node.js, npm (Node Package Manager), and the Hyperledger Fabric SDK
for your chosen programming language (e.g., Go, Node.js, Java).
Understanding Fabric Concepts: Familiarize yourself with key
Hyperledger Fabric concepts like channels, peers, chaincode, and
lifecycle events.
2. Choose Your Programming Language:
Hyperledger Fabric supports development in various languages, with Go,
Node.js, and Java being the most popular choices. Each language has its
own SDK and development tools.
3. Structure Your Chaincode:
Chaincode Package: A chaincode package is a directory containing your
chaincode source code and a chaincode.go (or similar for other
languages) file defining the entry point for your smart contract functions.
Smart Contract Functions: Your chaincode will contain functions that
define the logic for your application. These functions can be categorized
as:
o InitInvoke: This function is called when the chaincode is first
deployed on a channel. It's typically used for initialization
purposes.
o Invoke: This function is called to execute specific actions within
your smart contract. For example, this could be transferring assets,
updating data, or performing calculations.
o Query: This function is used to retrieve data from the world state
(ledger) without modifying it. This allows applications to read
information stored on the blockchain.
4. Interact with the World State:
World State: The world state is the distributed ledger that stores all the
data and transactions on the Hyperledger Fabric network.
Chaincode Stub: Hyperledger Fabric provides a stub object that allows
your chaincode functions to interact with the world state. You can use
the stub to:
o GetState: Retrieve data from the world state based on a key.
o PutState: Store new data or update existing data in the world
state.
o DeleteState: Delete data from the world state.
5. Leverage Fabric Features:
Private Data: Hyperledger Fabric allows for private data collections,
enabling selective sharing of data between specific participants on a
channel.
Events: Chaincode can emit events during execution, allowing
applications to listen for these events and react accordingly.
6. Deploying Your Chaincode:
Chaincode Lifecycle: Hyperledger Fabric uses a chaincode lifecycle to
manage the deployment, upgrade, and invocation of your chaincode.
You'll interact with this lifecycle through the Fabric SDK to install,
instantiate, and invoke your chaincode on a specific channel within the
network.
7. Testing and Debugging:
Unit Testing: Write unit tests to ensure your chaincode functions behave
as expected in isolation.
Network Simulation: Hyperledger Fabric provides tools like composer for
simulating a blockchain network and testing your chaincode in a
controlled environment.
import (
"fmt"
"github.com/hyperledger/fabric-chaincode-go/shim"
"github.com/hyperledger/fabric-chaincode-go/stub"
)
from := args[0]
to := args[1]
amount, err := strconv.ParseFloat(args[2], 64)
if err != nil {
return nil, shim.Error("Invalid amount. Expecting a float value.")
}
amountStr := fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", amount)
func main() {
fmt.Println("Bank Transfer Chaincode")
}