CCMP 606 Lecture 1: Course Intro
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of using a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithm in Bitcoin?

  • To achieve consensus and prevent double-spending (correct)
  • To support smart contracts
  • To reduce transaction fees
  • To enhance transaction speed

    • Which component is necessary for enabling immutability in blockchains?

  • P2P network
  • Consensus algorithm
  • Public transaction ledger
  • Cryptography (correct)

    • Which characteristic of a viable hash function ensures that the output remains the same for a given input?

  • Deterministic (correct)
  • Hash speed
  • Collision resistant
  • Avalanche effect

    • What does 'pre-image resistant' imply in the context of hash functions?

    <p>Determining the original input from the output is infeasible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following hash functions is currently considered deprecated?

    <p>SHA-1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What essential feature allows smart contracts to operate on a blockchain?

    <p>Turing-completeness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key component of cryptographic functions necessary for blockchains?

    <p>Descriptive standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the term 'avalanching effect' in hash functions?

    <p>A bit change in input leads to a drastically different output.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered an ingredient of smart-contract capable blockchains?

    <p>Cloud storage capabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of consensus algorithms in blockchains?

    <p>To add blocks to the ledger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the difference between distributed and decentralized systems?

    <p>All decentralized systems are distributed, but not all distributed systems are decentralized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does cryptography contribute to blockchain properties?

    <p>By enabling immutability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of smart contracts enables their advanced functionality?

    <p>Turing complete coding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What problem does the Byzantine Generals Problem highlight in distributed computing?

    <p>Trust and decision-making among independent nodes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge faced by permissioned blockchains?

    <p>True decentralization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does peer-to-peer (P2P) networking play in blockchain technology?

    <p>It facilitates decentralization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the objectives of the CCMP 606 course?

    <p>Analyze benefits and challenges of blockchain-based solutions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a type of assessment in the CCMP 606 course?

    <p>Exams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about Dapps is true in the context of the course?

    <p>Dapps are web applications with additional blockchain features.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Marci Detwiller hope to share with students?

    <p>Passion for learning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are students expected to do regarding smart contracts in CCMP 606?

    <p>Implement interactions with smart contracts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From which perspective are problems viewed when discussing the potential of blockchain solutions?

    <p>From multiple perspectives including individual, enterprise, and government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is addressed in the first lecture of the course regarding Blockchains?

    <p>The history and the Byzantine General’s Problem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What format will the classes in CCMP 606 primarily follow?

    <p>A mix of lecture and lab activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason hashes are not sufficient for ensuring transaction validity on the blockchain?

    <p>They cannot confirm the sender's identity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do digital signatures contribute to the security of blockchain transactions?

    <p>By confirming the transaction was initiated by the rightful owner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a hash from encryption?

    <p>Encryption can be decrypted back to the original data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a hash collision?

    <p>When multiple inputs generate the same hash output.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it crucial to protect private keys in asymmetric encryption?

    <p>To enable the signing of transactions without impersonation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do asymmetric encryption and public/private keys play in blockchain?

    <p>They allow for digital signatures and verify sender identity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would happen in the absence of non-repudiation mechanisms in blockchain transactions?

    <p>More disputes about transaction validity could arise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the intended purpose of hashing?

    <p>To verify data integrity and consistency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of asymmetric encryption in cryptography?

    <p>It relies on two different keys for encryption and decryption.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which problem do consensus algorithms in blockchain specifically aim to solve?

    <p>The Byzantine General’s Problem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a limitation of JSON-RPC API compared to REST API?

    <p>JSON-RPC can only use HTTP GET and POST.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of digital signatures in cryptography?

    <p>To verify the authenticity and integrity of a message.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Turing complete signify in the context of blockchains like Ethereum?

    <p>The ability to run any program or algorithm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Ethereum mitigate the risks of sybil attacks in its decentralized system?

    <p>By incentivizing consensus and block production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates the JSON format from other data formats used in APIs?

    <p>JSON structures data using key/value pairs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'append-only' imply in the context of blockchain data storage?

    <p>Data can only be added and not deleted or changed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Course Overview

    • Instructor: Marci Detwiller, P.Eng.
    • Contact: [email protected]
    • Course code: CCMP 606
    • Learning focus: blockchain technology, smart contracts, decentralized applications (Dapps).

    Learning Objectives

    • Analyze benefits and challenges of blockchain-based solutions and smart contracts.
    • Compare classical web applications with distributed applications (Dapps).
    • Assess consistency, availability, and partition tolerance of Dapp solutions.
    • Implement smart contract interactions and oracles.

    Assessments and Class Structure

    • Evaluation through 3 quizzes, 2 assignments, and 1 project.
    • Mix of lectures and lab work, alongside readings and exercises.

    Key Topics Covered

    • Reasons for Blockchains: Exploring the potential to solve various problems from individual, enterprise, and government perspectives.
    • History of Blockchains: Introduction to early concepts like B-Money and Bitgold, preceding Bitcoin's formal introduction in 2008.

    Major Components of Bitcoin

    • Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network based on the Bitcoin protocol.
    • Public transaction ledger (blockchain) secured using cryptography.
    • Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithm enabling Byzantine Fault Tolerance and preventing double-spending.

    Ingredients of Smart Contract Capable Blockchains

    • Cryptography: Ensures immutability and enables security.
    • P2P Networking: Facilitates decentralization.
    • Consensus Algorithm: Required for adding blocks to the ledger.
    • Turing Completeness: Allows execution of smart contracts.

    Cryptographic Essentials

    • Uses hash functions, public key cryptography, and digital signatures to secure blockchain transactions.
    • Common Hash Functions:
      • MD5 (deprecated)
      • SHA-1 (deprecated)
      • SHA-2 (256-bit)
      • SHA-3 family (various sizes used in Ethereum).

    Hash Functions Characteristics

    • Fixed-width and deterministic outputs.
    • Pre-image resistant (one-way function).
    • Collision resistant (difficulty finding matching outputs).
    • Avalanche effect (small input change yields large output change).

    Importance of Digital Signatures

    • Help ensure non-repudiation (proof that a specific transaction was carried out by the account holder).
    • Enable the use of asymmetric encryption (private/public key pair) to validate transactions.

    Complexity in Blockchain Verification

    • Hashes verify data integrity but do not ensure transaction validation.
    • Non-repudiation is achieved through digital signatures, crucial in preventing transaction disputes.

    Consensus and Security

    • Consensus algorithms address:
      • Byzantine General’s Problem: Ensures agreement among distributed nodes.
      • Double Spending Problem: Maintains transaction order and integrity.
    • Sybil attack risks are mitigated by maintaining a decentralized consensus.

    Peer-to-Peer Networking

    • Ethereum utilizes JSON-RPC API, differing from REST APIs in functionality and methods for blockchain data interactions.

    Turing Completeness in Ethereum

    • Vitalik Buterin’s Ethereum whitepaper emphasizes the capability of executing any program, enabling more complex operations through smart contracts.

    Practical Exercises

    • Cryptozombies: Engage in Solidity coding practice to enhance understanding of smart contracts (Levels 1 & 2 recommended).
    • Ensure participation through surveys, quizzes, and interactive class activities.

    Upcoming Quiz Details

    • Covers advantages/challenges of blockchains, differences between distributed and decentralized systems, and ingredients necessary for smart contract capable blockchains.

    Additional Resources for Review

    • Recommended material includes links on public key cryptography, hash functions, and asymmetric encryption techniques.

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    Related Documents

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    Description

    Join us for the first lecture of CCMP 606, where we will introduce the course and discuss foundational concepts. Led by Marc Detwiller, who brings a wealth of experience from research, startups, and large organizations, this class aims to foster a passion for learning and sharing knowledge.

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