Ethereum blockchain layering
a brief history of etheric Classics (etc)
etheric classics began with an unfortunate event
in May 2016, the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) held a token sale with the goal of establishing a blockchain based venture capital to fund future decentralized applications (dapps) in the Ethereum ecosystem
basically, Dao is a complex smart contract that operates in a decentralized way - computer code that automatically performs tasks between multiple parties when conditions are met
despite its ambitious goals and successful token sales, Dao's code has a major vulnerability that allows attackers to steal eth from decentralized organizations
the attacker took advantage of this vulnerability in June 2016, triggering the infamous Dao hacking event, and maliciously stole eth worth about US $50 million
there is no doubt that Dao hacking has shocked Ethereum community and made eth price drop from $20 to $13
after the Dao hacking, the Ethereum community has to choose from three options
< UL >do nothing and try to bear the consequences of the attack
start soft bifurcation to recover funds
deploy a hard fork to recover the lost eth
both soft and hard bifurcations are significant network upgrades. However, soft fork allows users who are not upgraded to communicate with upgraded users, while hard fork is not backward compatible with previous versions
as developers realize that deploying soft forks will expose the network to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, Ethereum community decides to initiate hard forks to recover the funds lost in Dao hacking attacks
although this scheme is supported by most people, a small number of people in Ethereum community oppose it. They think that "code is the law" and blockchain network should be unchangeable
the failure of both sides to reach an agreement on the solution eventually led to the fragmentation of Ethereum blockchain
those who tried to recover the lost eth chose the hard fork and opened the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain as we know it today, while another group stayed on the original Ethereum classic (etc) chain
what problems does ethereal classic solve Ethernet classic (etc) is a blockchain platform that allows developers to deploy smart contracts and dapps although this function is the same as Ethereum (ETH), etc blockchain has two main differences first of all, Ethereum classic community opposes tampering with distributed ledger and supports the view that "blockchain network cannot and should not be modified" secondly, although there is no rigid upper limit on the total supply of eth, it is allowed to create 230 million etc at most by adopting the monetary policy of constant supply as a bonus item, ethereal classic launched Atlantis hard bifurcation last year to increase the interaction with Ethereum and improve the privacy protection of transactions through ZK snarks the trading platforms recommended by ethereal classic etc are: Fire coin, okex, AAX, etc
what is Ethereum:
Ethereum is an innovation based on the application of technologies and concepts in bitcoin to computers. Ethereum itself imitates a lot of bitcoin technology to maintain the computer platform. Blockchain technology is one of them
Ethereum platform can safely run any program users want
advantages of Ethereum over other competitive currencies before Ethereum appeared, some digital currencies imitated bitcoin. However, these projects have their own shortcomings, they can only support one or several specific applications at the same time< However, the reason why Ethereum can surpass the limitations of these projects in the past is because of the core idea of Ethereum
what Ethereum wants to implement is a blockchain protocol with built-in programming language. Since it supports programming language, in theory, any blockchain application can be defined with this language, and then run on Ethereum's blockchain protocol as an application
The design of Ethereum is very flexible and adaptable
Ethereum target sets the advantages of blockchain technology, in order to add the advantages of blockchain, such as decentralization, openness and security, to almost all computing fields
blockchain applications of Ethereum
Ethereum has many blockchain applications, such as digital applications of gold and stocks, financial derivatives applications, DNS and digital authentication, etc
Ethereum has achieved more than 100 blockchain applications by many start-ups
Ethereum has also been closely watched by some financial institutions, banking consortia (such as R3), as well as large companies like Samsung, Deloitte, RWE and IBM. As a result, a number of blockchain applications such as simplified and automated financial transactions, merchant loyalty index tracking, and gift cards designed to achieve decentralization of electronic transactions have emerged
the relationship between Ethereum and blockchain:
Ethereum is a programmable blockchain
Ethereum does not give users a series of preset operations (such as bitcoin transaction), but allows users to create complex operations according to their own wishes
in this way, Ethereum can be used as a platform for various types of decentralized blockchain applications, including but not limited to cryptocurrency
like other blockchains, Ethereum also has a peer-to-peer network protocol. Ethereum blockchain database is maintained and updated by many nodes connected to the network. Each network node runs the Ethereum simulator and executes the same instructions. Therefore, people sometimes call Ethereum "world computer"
although the pow mining mechanism is adopted, the block out mechanism of Ethereum is different from that of bitcoin. Due to the short block time of Ethereum, Ethereum is easy to form isolated blocks. Isolated blocks refer to the blocks that are not on the longest chain. Bitcoin's isolated blocks have no block rewards, but in Ethereum, isolated blocks can be referenced. The referenced isolated blocks are called "Uncle blocks", and their packaged data will also be recorded in the blockchain. Unlike bitcoin, Ethereum's TERT block has a reward, and each TERT block can get a reward of 4.375 Ethernet coins at most
Ethereum is a programmable and Turing complete blockchain development platform, which is equivalent to a decentralized global computer. In a programming system, there are usually some virtual machines to compile and execute. Java has JVM. In Ethereum, there is also Ethereum's virtual machine EVM, which can execute any complex algorithm code. Developers can use existing programming languages such as JavaScript or Python to create their own applications on Ethereum. Through Ethereum's virtual machine, you can easily issue digital assets, write smart contracts, set up and run decentralized applications, and set up decentralized autonomous organizations
eth is also known as the internal fuel of Ethereum. Unlike currency digital assets, Ethereum is not only used for transfer, but also for payment of smart contracts
in order to prevent the Ethereum blockchain from being full of junk contracts and junk applications, and to establish and run smart contracts on Ethereum, you must use eth to pay for smart contracts. For example, when you transfer your newly created digital assets on the Ethereum blockchain, you need to use eth to pay the handling fee instead of your newly created digital assets.
1. Data layer
the data layer is the lowest layer in the six hierarchies of the blockchain. We can understand the data layer as a database, but for the blockchain, this database is a tamperable and distributed database, which is what we call "distributed ledger"
in the data layer, that is, the "distributed ledger", the data information on the blockchain is stored, and the blockchain structure, asymmetric encryption technology, hash algorithm and other technical means of the block are encapsulated to ensure the security of the data in the case of the whole network being open. The specific method is:
in the blockchain network, nodes use consensus algorithm to maintain the consistency of data layer (that is, the distributed database), and use asymmetric encryption and hash algorithm in cryptography to ensure the non usurpation and traceability of the distributed database
This constitutes the bottom data structure of blockchain technology. However, it is not enough to have a distributed database. We also need to let the data information in the database be shared and exchanged. Next, we will introce the upper layer of the data layer - the network layer
Second, network layer
the network system of blockchain is essentially a P2P (point-to-point) network. Point to point means that there is no need for an intermediate link or centralized server to control the system. All resources and services in the network are distributed in the hands of each node, and the transmission of information is also a direct communication between the two nodes. However, it should be noted that P2P
(peer-to-peer) was not invented by Nakamoto, and the blockchain only integrates this technology
therefore, the network layer of blockchain is actually a particularly powerful point-to-point network system. In this system, each node can not only proce information, but also receive information, just like sending e-mail. You can write your own e-mail, and you can also receive the e-mail sent to you by others
in the blockchain network, nodes need to jointly maintain the blockchain system. Every time a node creates a new block, it needs to notify other nodes in the form of broadcast. After receiving the information, other nodes verify the block, and then create a new block on the basis of the block. In this way, the whole network can jointly maintain and update the general ledger of the blockchain system
however, what rules should the whole network follow to maintain and update the general ledger of the blockchain system? This involves the so-called "laws and regulations" (rules), which we will introce next: the consensus layer
Third, consensus layer
in the world of blockchain, consensus simply means that the whole network should maintain and update the general ledger of blockchain system according to a unified and agreed rule, which is similar to the rule of updating data. It is one of the core technologies of blockchain and the governance mechanism of blockchain community to let highly dispersed nodes reach consensus efficiently in the decentralized blockchain network
at present, the mainstream consensus mechanism algorithms include: proof of work of bitcoin (POW), proof of rights and interests of Ethereum (POS), proof of rights and interests of EOS (dpos), etc
we now introce the data layer, network layer and consensus layer. These three layers ensure that there are data, networks and rules for updating data on the network. However, there is no free lunch in the world. How can nodes actively participate in the maintenance of the blockchain system? Here is the incentive layer, which we will introce next: incentive layer< 4. Incentive layer
incentive layer is the so-called mining mechanism, which can be understood as incentive mechanism: you can get as much reward as you contribute to the blockchain system. With this incentive mechanism, the whole network nodes can be encouraged to participate in the data recording and maintenance on the blockchain
mining mechanism and consensus mechanism are actually the same truth. Consensus mechanism can be understood as the company's general rules and regulations, while mining mechanism can be understood as the reward rules for what you do well in the general rules and regulations
just like the consensus mechanism POW of bitcoin, it stipulates that more work pays more. Whoever can find the correct hash value first can get a certain amount of bitcoin reward
and Ethereum's POS stipulates that the older the holder is, the more likely he or she will be rewarded
it should be noted that the incentive layer is generally only available for the public chain, because the public chain must rely on the nodes of the whole network to jointly maintain data, so there must be a set of incentive mechanism to encourage the nodes of the whole network to participate in the construction and maintenance of the blockchain system, so as to ensure the security and reliability of the blockchain system
the blockchain is safe and reliable, and it is not intelligent enough, right? The contract layer we will introce next can make the blockchain system more intelligent
v. contract layer
Contract layer mainly includes various scripts, codes, algorithm mechanisms and smart contracts, which is the basis of block chain programming. What we call "smart contract" is at the contract level
if the bitcoin system is not intelligent enough, the "smart contract" proposed by Ethereum can meet many application scenarios. The principle of the contract layer is to embed the code into the blockchain system, in this way to realize the smart contract that can be customized. In this way, on the blockchain system, once the terms of the smart contract are triggered, the system can automatically execute commands< Finally, the application layer. The application layer is very simple. As the name suggests, it is a variety of application scenarios and cases of blockchain. What we now call "blockchain +" is the so-called application layer. At present, the blockchain applications that have been implemented are mainly various blockchain applications built on
eth, EOS and other public chains. There are more applications of gambling and games, and the real practical applications have not yet appeared.
1, data layer / data layer
the data layer mainly describes the physical form of blockchain, which is a chain structure starting from Genesis block on blockchain, including block data, chain structure, random number, time stamp, public and private key data on blockchain, and is the lowest level data structure in the whole blockchain technology
2. Network layer / network layer
the network layer mainly realizes the mechanism of distributed network through P2P technology, and the network layer includes P2P networking mechanism, data dissemination mechanism and data verification mechanism. Therefore, blockchain is essentially a P2P network with automatic networking mechanism, and the communication between nodes is maintained by maintaining a common blockchain structure
3. Consensus layer / consensus layer
consensus layer mainly includes consensus algorithm and consensus mechanism, which enables highly dispersed nodes to reach consensus on the effectiveness of block data efficiently in the decentralized blockchain network. It is one of the core technologies of blockchain and also the governance mechanism of blockchain community. At present, there are at least dozens of consensus mechanism algorithms, including workload proof, rights and interests proof, rights and interests authorization proof, burning proof, importance proof and so on
data layer, network layer and consensus layer are the necessary elements of building blockchain technology. Without any layer, it can not be called a real blockchain technology
4. Incentive layer / activator layer
the incentive layer mainly includes the issuing system and distribution system of economic incentive. Its function is to provide certain incentive measures, encourage nodes to participate in the security verification work in the blockchain, incorporate economic factors into the blockchain technology system, encourage nodes that comply with rules to participate in bookkeeping, and punish nodes that do not comply with rules
5. Contract layer / contract layer
the contract layer mainly includes various scripts, codes, algorithm mechanisms and smart contracts, which is the basis of block chain programming. Embedding the code into the blockchain or token, realizing the smart contract that can be customized, and automatically executing without a third party when certain constraints are met, is the foundation of the blockchain's distrust
6. Application layer / application layer
the application layer of blockchain encapsulates various application scenarios and cases, which are similar to applications on computer operating system, portals on Internet browsers, search engines, e-malls or apps on mobile phones. The blockchain technology applications are deployed on Ethereum, EOS and qtum, and are implemented in real life scenarios. The future programmable finance and programmable society will also be built on the application layer
incentive layer, contract layer and application layer are not necessary factors for each blockchain application, and some blockchain applications do not completely include the three-tier structure.
as the computing level of the whole bitcoin network continues to rise exponentially, a single device or a small amount of computing power can not get the block reward provided by bitcoin network
after the computing power of the whole network has been improved to a certain extent, the low probability of getting rewards has prompted some geeks on "bitcoin talk" to develop a method that can combine a small amount of computing power and operate jointly. The website established in this way is called "mine pool"
extended data:
the existence of the mine pool reces the difficulty of mining bitcoin and other virtual digital currencies, reces the threshold of mining, and truly realizes the concept of bitcoin mining that everyone can participate in
but its disadvantages are also very obvious, because computing power is connected to the mine pool. As a mine pool, it will have a huge amount of computing power resources. In the bitcoin world, computing power represents the bookkeeping right, and computing power is everything. If the computing power of a single mine pool reaches more than 50%, it will be easy to launch 51% attacks on bitcoin and other similar virtual digital currencies, The consequences are very terrible:
the mine pool can make the mine pool with 49% of the remaining computing power have no harvest, instantly quit the competition and go bankrupt. The mine pool's computing power exceeds 50%. If 51% attack is launched, it will easily occupy all the effective computing power of the whole network
source of reference: network mine pool
blockchain 1.0 mainly refers to bitcoin. Blockchain 2.0 extends to all assets, while blockchain 3.0 goes beyond currency, finance, even commerce, and all areas of our lives, including politics, social relations, ecation, medical care, etc. According to the prediction and conception of people in the instry, the era of blockchain 3.0 will be realized in the next five years. At that time, blockchain will be recognized and accepted by all the public like the Internet, thus completely subverting our lives
McKinsey has submitted a technical report on blockchain to the Federal Insurance Advisory Committee of the United States. The report calls 2009-2016 the "Dark Age" and believes that all blockchain solutions ring this period are based on bitcoin, and the new era of blockchain will begin in 2016. At that time, the application of blockchain will become unprecedented. Applying an original sentence in McKinsey report: Based on the current development speed of blockchain, we believe that blockchain solutions may realize their full potential in the next five years.