Blockchain Basics (Coursera)

You will learn about the decentralized peer-to-peer network, an immutable distributed ledger and the trust model that defines a blockchain. This course enables you to explain basic components of a blockchain (transaction, block, block header, and the chain) its operations (verification, validation, and consensus model) underlying algorithms, and essentials of trust (hard fork and soft fork). Content includes the hashing and cryptography foundations indispensable to blockchain programming, which is the focus of two subsequent specialization courses, Smart Contracts and Decentralized Applications (Dapps). You will work on a virtual machine image, specifically created for this course, to build an Ethereum test chain and operate on the chain. This hands-on activity will help you understand the workings of a blockchain, its transactions, blocks and mining.

Course 1 of 4 in the Blockchain Specialization.

What you will Learn

- A learner will be able to recognize foundational concepts of blockchain, and apply these program concepts on the blockchain.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Blockchain Defined

We will introduce and define blockchain, explain the structure and operational aspects of Bitcoin blockchain, and compare different types of blockchains.

WEEK 2

Ethereum Blockchain

We will discuss the innovation of the Ethereum blockchain, review its protocol, and explore the payment model for code execution.

WEEK 3

Algorithms & Techniques

We will discuss the concept of asymmetric key encryption, define the concept of hashing, and explain techniques that use algorithms to manage the integrity of transactions and blocks in blockchain.

WEEK 4

Trust Essentials

We will define elements of trust in blockchain and discuss the Consensus protocol.