Explain the basic concept of blockchain technology. Explore the characteristics of a public blockchain. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of public blockchains. By the end of this session, you will be able to: Learning Objectives
Introduction to Blockchain Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger that records transactions. It is secure, transparent, and immutable. A blockchain network consists of multiple participants (nodes). Transactions are grouped into blocks and linked together in a chain. Public, Private, and Consortium blockchains are the three main types. Public Blockchains are open to anyone to participate.
Characteristics of Public Blockchain
Advantages of Public Blockchain Transparency – all transactions are publicly visible and verifiable. Security – high level of security due to decentralized validation. Trustless – no need for intermediaries or centralized authorities. Permissionless – open to anyone without restriction. Fault tolerance – no single point of failure. Highly resilient against censorship and tampering.
Disadvantages of Public Blockchain Scalability issues – can be slower compared to other blockchain types. High energy consumption – proof-of-work consensus is energy-intensive. Limited privacy – transactions are visible to everyone on the network. Vulnerable to 51% attacks – if one entity controls majority mining power. Reduced efficiency – high transaction fees during congestion. Complex governance – decision-making can be slow and cumbersome.
Session Recap In this session, we have discussed: The basic concept of blockchain technology. The characteristics of a public blockchain. The advantages and disadvantages of public blockchains.