Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps

Book Description In 25 concise steps, you will learn the basics of blockchain technology. No mathematical formulas, program code, or computer science jargon are used. No previous knowledge in computer science, mathematics, programming, or cryptography is required. Terminology is explained through pictures, analogies, and metaphors.
This book bridges the gap that exists between purely technical books about the blockchain and purely business-focused books. It does so by explaining both the technical concepts that make up the blockchain and their role in business-relevant applications.

What You'll Learn

• What the blockchain is
• Why it is needed and what problem it solves
• Why there is so much excitement about the blockchain and its potential
• Major components and their purpose
• How various components of the blockchain work and interact
• Limitations, why they exist, and what has been done to overcome them
• Major application scenarios

Who This Book Is For
Everyone who wants to get a general idea of what blockchain technology is, how it works, and how it will potentially change the financial system as we know it.

Content

Stage 1: Terminology and Technical Foundations 
Step 1: Thinking in Layers and Aspects 
Step 2: Seeing the Big Picture 
Step 3: Recognizing the Potential 

Stage I1: Why the Blockchain Is Needed 
Step 4: Discovering the Core Problem 
Step 5: Disambiguating the Term
Step 6: Understanding the Nature of Ownership 
Step 7: Spending Money Twice 

Stage III: How the Blockchain Works 
Step 8: Planning the Blockchain 
Step 9: Documenting Ownership
Step 10: Hashing Data
Step 11: Hashing in the Real World 
Step 12: Identifying and Protecting User Accounts 
Step 13: Authorizing Transactions 
Step 14: Storing Transaction Data 
Step 15: Using the Data Store 
Step 16: Protecting the Data Store 
Step 17: Distributing the Data Store Among Peers 
Step 18: Verif ying and Adding Transactions 
Step 19: Choosing a Transaction History 
Step 20: Paying for Integrity 
Step 21: Bringing the Pieces Together 

Stage IV: Limitations and How to Overcome Them 
Step 22: Seeing the Limitations
Step 23: Reinventing the Blockchain 

Stage V: Using the Blockchain, Summary, and Outlook 
Step 24: Using the Blockchain 
Step 25: Summarizing and Going Further