CCMP 606 Lecture 1: Course Intro

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?

Determining the original input from the output is infeasible. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hash functions is currently considered deprecated?

SHA-1 Signup and view all the answers

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

Turing-completeness Signup and view all the answers

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

Descriptive standards Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

Cloud storage capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of consensus algorithms in blockchains?

To add blocks to the ledger Signup and view all the answers

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

All decentralized systems are distributed, but not all distributed systems are decentralized. Signup and view all the answers

How does cryptography contribute to blockchain properties?

By enabling immutability Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of smart contracts enables their advanced functionality?

Turing complete coding Signup and view all the answers

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

Trust and decision-making among independent nodes Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge faced by permissioned blockchains?

True decentralization Signup and view all the answers

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

It facilitates decentralization Signup and view all the answers

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

Analyze benefits and challenges of blockchain-based solutions. Signup and view all the answers

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

Exams Signup and view all the answers

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

Dapps are web applications with additional blockchain features. Signup and view all the answers

What does Marci Detwiller hope to share with students?

Passion for learning. Signup and view all the answers

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

Implement interactions with smart contracts. Signup and view all the answers

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

From multiple perspectives including individual, enterprise, and government. Signup and view all the answers

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

The history and the Byzantine General’s Problem. Signup and view all the answers

What format will the classes in CCMP 606 primarily follow?

A mix of lecture and lab activities. Signup and view all the answers

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

They cannot confirm the sender's identity. Signup and view all the answers

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

By confirming the transaction was initiated by the rightful owner. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a hash from encryption?

Encryption can be decrypted back to the original data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hash collision?

When multiple inputs generate the same hash output. Signup and view all the answers

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

To enable the signing of transactions without impersonation. Signup and view all the answers

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

They allow for digital signatures and verify sender identity. Signup and view all the answers

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

More disputes about transaction validity could arise. Signup and view all the answers

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

To verify data integrity and consistency. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of asymmetric encryption in cryptography?

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

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

The Byzantine General’s Problem. Signup and view all the answers

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

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

What is the purpose of digital signatures in cryptography?

To verify the authenticity and integrity of a message. Signup and view all the answers

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

The ability to run any program or algorithm. Signup and view all the answers

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

By incentivizing consensus and block production. Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

Data can only be added and not deleted or changed. 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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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.