We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Stephen Haunts

This course will teach you about what a block is, and how they work. You will learn how the essential blockchain data structures work and how to apply them in the real world.

Read more

This course will teach you about what a block is, and how they work. You will learn how the essential blockchain data structures work and how to apply them in the real world.

Blockchains have been called one of the next big revolutions in computing. In this course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, you’ll learn to understand how a blockchain works and how they apply in the real-world. First, you’ll explore the cryptography principles required for a blockchain. Next, you’ll discover how transactions are stored within a block. Then, you will learn how proof of work makes a blockchain resistant to tampering and corruption. Finally, you’ll learn how consensus is maintained over a network to keep a blockchain secure and reliable. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of blockchains needed to understand how they work and can be applied to your systems.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Introduction
Understanding the Cryptographic Principles Used with Blockchain
Storing Transactions in Blocks
Read more
Applying Proof of Work
Maintaining Consensus
Summary

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores cryptography principles, which is a core concept of blockchains
Taught by Stephen Haunts, who is recognized for their work in blockchains
Examines proof of work, which is essential to securing blockchains
Develops an understanding of blockchain consensus, which is important for maintaining network integrity
Taught by Stephen Haunts, who has expertise in blockchains

Save this course

Save Blockchain – Principles and Practices to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Blockchain – Principles and Practices with these activities:
Review cryptography principles
Refreshes concepts of cryptography, such as encryption and decryption, which can improve understanding of how these principles are applied in blockchain technology.
Browse courses on Cryptography
Show steps
  • Review basics of symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
  • Read up on common cryptographic algorithms like AES, RSA, and SHA-256.
  • Go through examples and practice using cryptographic functions.
Practice implementing data structures in blocks
Strengthens understanding of how data is structured within a block, improving comprehension of blockchain's underlying mechanisms.
Show steps
  • Implement a simple Blockchain data structure using a linked list.
  • Practice creating and adding blocks to the blockchain.
  • Experiment with different data structures for storing transactions.
Explore real-world blockchain applications
Expands knowledge of blockchain's practical applications, fostering a broader understanding of its potential impact across various industries.
Browse courses on Blockchain Applications
Show steps
  • Research and identify different industries where blockchain is being used.
  • Find and follow tutorials on implementing blockchain solutions for specific use cases.
  • Attend webinars or online events to learn from experts.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Contribute to an open source blockchain project
Provides practical experience working on a real-world blockchain project, fostering deeper understanding of its implementation and maintenance.
Show steps
  • Find a suitable open source blockchain project to contribute to.
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase.
  • Identify an area where you can contribute your skills.
  • Submit a pull request with your contribution.
Create a blockchain-based application
Applies principles and techniques learned in the course to build a functional blockchain application, strengthening problem-solving and implementation skills.
Show steps
  • Define the scope and requirements of your application.
  • Choose a suitable blockchain platform for your application.
  • Design and implement the application's core functionality.
  • Test and deploy your application.

Career center

Learners who complete Blockchain – Principles and Practices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Blockchain Developer
Blockchain Developers design, develop, and maintain blockchain networks and applications, utilizing their understanding of cryptographic principles and consensus mechanisms. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid foundation in these principles, equipping you to excel in this role. By mastering concepts like proof of work and block structure, you'll gain the skills necessary to contribute effectively to blockchain projects.
Cryptographer
Cryptographers play a pivotal role in designing and implementing secure blockchain systems. This course delves into the cryptographic principles that underpin blockchain technology, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of encryption, hashing, and digital signatures. With this knowledge, you'll be well-equipped to develop and evaluate secure blockchain solutions, making you a valuable asset in this field.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists leverage their expertise in data analysis and modeling to uncover valuable insights from blockchain data. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid foundation in blockchain's data structures and consensus mechanisms. By understanding how data is stored and validated on a blockchain, you'll gain the skills to analyze and interpret blockchain data effectively, opening up opportunities in the growing field of blockchain analytics.
Security Analyst
Security Analysts are responsible for identifying and mitigating security risks in blockchain systems. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a deep dive into the security challenges associated with blockchain technology. You'll learn how to analyze blockchain vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and stay up-to-date on emerging security threats. With this knowledge, you'll be well-equipped to protect blockchain systems and ensure their integrity.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers specializing in blockchain development are in high demand due to the rapid growth of blockchain technology. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid foundation in blockchain's underlying principles and practices. By mastering concepts like proof of work and block structure, you'll gain the technical skills necessary to design, develop, and maintain blockchain-based software solutions.
Product Manager
Product Managers for blockchain products require a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its applications. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and use cases. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to manage blockchain-based products and drive their success in the market.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts specializing in blockchain technology are responsible for identifying business opportunities and challenges related to blockchain adoption. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid understanding of blockchain's business applications and potential impact. By learning how blockchain can transform industries and create new value streams, you'll be well-equipped to guide businesses in their blockchain journey.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs building blockchain-based startups require a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its potential. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and use cases. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to identify innovative business opportunities and develop successful blockchain-based ventures.
Consultant
Consultants specializing in blockchain technology provide guidance to businesses and organizations on how to adopt and leverage blockchain. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive understanding of blockchain's key concepts and applications. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to advise clients on blockchain strategies and implementation.
Researcher
Researchers in blockchain technology are involved in developing new blockchain protocols, algorithms, and applications. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid foundation in blockchain's underlying principles and practices. By mastering concepts like proof of work and block structure, you'll gain the technical knowledge necessary to contribute to the advancement of blockchain technology through research and innovation.
Educator
Educators specializing in blockchain technology play a vital role in educating the next generation of blockchain professionals. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and applications. By gaining a deep understanding of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to develop and deliver engaging educational programs that empower students to succeed in the blockchain industry.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts specializing in blockchain technology are responsible for evaluating and analyzing blockchain-based financial products and services. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a solid understanding of blockchain's underlying principles and applications in the financial sector. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to assess the risks and opportunities associated with blockchain-based investments.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers specializing in blockchain technology are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for blockchain-based products and services. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and applications. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to create effective marketing strategies that target the right audience and drive adoption.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers specializing in blockchain technology are responsible for selling blockchain-based products and services to businesses and organizations. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and applications. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to understand customer needs, develop effective sales pitches, and close deals in the competitive blockchain market.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers specializing in blockchain technology are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of blockchain-based systems and applications. This course, Blockchain - Principles and Practices, provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain's key concepts and applications. By gaining insights into the benefits and limitations of blockchain, you'll be well-equipped to manage operations efficiently, ensure system stability, and continuously improve processes.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Blockchain – Principles and Practices.
Provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology, explaining the underlying principles, applications, and potential implications.
A comprehensive guide to blockchain development, covering the technical aspects of building and deploying blockchain applications.
A technical guide to blockchain development, covering the underlying principles and implementation details of blockchain networks.
An exploration of the potential economic and political implications of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
An introduction to the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, providing a framework for understanding and investing in this emerging asset class.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Blockchain – Principles and Practices.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser