An Introduction  ETH

If you are interested in cryptocurrencies, you have probably heard about Ethereum. Even though this is a cryptocurrency you can mine, collect, and invest in, Ethereum is very different from cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.Ethereum uses blockchain technology in a manner that is very different from other cryptocurrencies. This guide is the perfect starting point if you want to find out more about Ethereum, but keep in mind that it is best to already have a solid understanding of how blockchain technology works. We have another guide about blockchain technology that you might want to read first.

What Is Blockchain Technology?

Blockchain technology is a decentralized network. A number of users download a cryptocurrency software on their machine and pool their computing resources to maintain a ledger for a virtual currency.This ledger will verify each transaction and record it. In the past, creating one of these decentralized network required significant resources. One had to be an expert in coding, mathematics, and cryptography.Blockchain technology is more accessible than ever before. Several industries have adopted it, including the finance sector, electronic voting, or digital assets such as large databases. It is easier for developers to get access to the tools they need to create one of these networks. Want to learn more about why blockchain is important, click here<<==

Ethereum For Beginners?

Ethereum is making blockchain technology accessible by providing users with an open software platform. Developers can use this platform as a starting point to create and deploy their decentralize applications.

Is Ethereum A Cryptocurrency?

Ethereum, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies share some similarities. All cryptocurrencies rely on a public decentralized network. Blockchain technology is used to share information between the users of this network.

However, the purpose of Bitcoin and Ethereum is very different. Bitcoin uses a blockchain network to verify and process virtual payments. Bitcoin is often associated with this technology, but it represents one of the many possible uses of blockchain technology. Considering Bitcoin as being synonymous for blockchain would be akin to thinking that email is the only use for the Internet. Ethereum provides users with different applications for blockchain technology since the purpose of Ethereum is to leverage the power of a decentralized network to run the code.

How Does Ethereum Work?

The users who make up the Ethereum network are rewarded with Ether. This is a crypto token that is used to pay for fees and services available via the Ethereum network, and it can also be traded just like any other popular cryptocurrency. Ethereum miners can earn a second type of token called gas. Miners can earn gas by including transactions in the blocks they process. The purpose of gas is to encourage more miners to process smart contracts.

What Are Smart Contracts?

Smart contracts are codes used on the Ethereum network. The purpose of these codes is to facilitate a financial transaction. These codes are executed when certain conditions are met. This is why they are referred to as smart contracts. The decentralized network model allows for smart contracts to run without any risk of fraud, censorship, downtime, or any interference.

Ethereum is different from most cryptocurrencies since the Ethereum network isn’t as limited. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rely on a blockchain that only verifies cryptocurrency ownership before recording transactions. The Ethereum network can perform more complex actions, such as executing smart contracts. Developers can use this network to build a wide range of applications. Smart contracts handle an entire transaction from start to finish, and they are only one of the many types of applications that developers can build.

What Is The Ethereum Virtual Machine?

When Ethereum was first created, applications could only perform a few basic tasks. The network wasn’t much more complex than the Bitcoin blockchain, which is designed to only process digital transactions.

Expanding the Bitcoin network to include more functionalities didn’t make much sense at the time. Developers decided to create a second blockchain application to explore other possibilities. Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum, felt that the Bitcoin community was too focused on the potential of each application and was missing the big picture.

Buterin created the Ethereum network and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM is a Turing complete software that allows developers to run any application on this network. This technology can execute an application regardless of its programming language, provided that there are sufficient computing resources available. The EVM has revolutionized the process of creating blockchain applications. Before the EVM, developers would have needed to build an entire blockchain network for their application. The Ethereum network and EVM now provide them with the infrastructure they need to build and deploy their application.

What Are The Possible Uses ?

There is a wide range of possible uses for the Ethereum network. The purpose of this network is to provide developers with everything they need to create and deploy their decentralized application, or Dapp. Each Dapp has a unique purpose. The main advantage of using a Dapp rather than a regular application is that it doesn’t rely on a central server to execute its code. Unlike traditional applications, Dapps aren’t controlled by a single entity. Bitcoin is an example. Bitcoin is Dapp designed to work as a peer to peer electronic cash system.

Any digital service can be turned into a decentralized application thanks to Ethereum. Any digital service you use could potentially be turned into a Dapp. This could include the loans that banks offer, making big data more accessible, registering vehicle titles, registering and counting votes, and regulatory compliance systems just to cite a few examples.

Developers can also use the Ethereum networks to create Decentralized Autonomous Organizations or DAOs. A DAO is a collection of smart orders that set rules for this organization. A traditional organization would require some people to review data, make decisions, and issue orders. A DAO doesn’t need these centralized actions to function since it can execute smart orders instead. The ownership of a DAO is shared between the users who buy tokens. These tokens give users voting rights rather than functioning in a manner that is similar to equity shares.

A DAO is typically funded by a group of users who have a similar purpose or philosophy. Once a DAO is created, there is no need for human interventions and its operation is entirely transparent. The Ethereum network will keep a DAO for as long as it delivers a valuable service and covers its operating costs.

The Ethereum Foundation has also taken steps to turn the network into an infrastructure that would foster cryptocurrencies. Several digital currencies have already been launched on the Ethereum network and have benefited from the ERC20 token standard created by the foundation. New currencies can attract capital thanks to initial coin offerings, or ICOs. This model allows the creators of a new cryptocurrency to set a fundraising goal, launch a crowd sale, and receive Ether in exchange for their digital coins. EOS is one of the most successful cryptocurrencies launched on the Ethereum network.The Ethereum Foundation recently launched another standard. The ERC721 token standard can track digital assets more efficiently. This new standard allows cryptocurrency owners to prove ownership of their digital assets. This new standard is currently being used to develop several popular games, including the CryptoKitties, a game where players collect virtual animals.

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Decentralized Platform?

Not relying on a central server to execute an application results in better uptime. A decentralized application is more scalable since it can use more computing power as needed. This decentralization model also removes barriers to entry that developers have to overcome to launch a new product. This model lowers costs and makes it possible to offer valuable applications without any significant operation costs. While businesses need to focus on applications that will generate an immediate profit, Ethereum developers can take a different approach and create Dapps that provide value for the users regardless of financial gain.

* Immutability: Data cannot be changed by third parties.
* Immunity To Corruption & Tampering: Apps run on a consensus-based network where they cannot be censored.
* Security: Cutting-edge cryptography and the lack of a vulnerable point of centralization defend apps against fraud and hacking attacks.
* No Downtime: Apps cannot be shut down or brought down by accidents.

Decentralized Applications: The Potential Downsides

Decentralized applications deliver a lot of benefits, but they're not inherently flawless. The code beneath smart contracts is still written by humans, and that opens up the possibility of human error. Oversights or bugs in the code can give rise to unexpected behavior or vulnerabilities. If code errors are exploited, they can be hard to fix. There is no quick fix for attacks or exploits deriving from the code itself; it can only be rewritten by obtaining consensus across the entire network. While a consensus fix is possible, it's also contrary to the core idea of immutability common to all blockchain platforms. Additionally, the implementation of consensus fixes calls into question how decentralized an application truly is.

How Do I Access The Ethereum network For App Development?

The Ethereum network is accessible through multiple pathways. Using the native Mist browser is one of the most straightforward. Mist delivers an effective digital wallet for trading and storing Ether, smart contract management tools, and a user-friendly interface. Mist provides the same sort of navigation access to decentralized blockchain applications that a web browser provides for internet users.

In a slightly more complex path, the MetaMask browser extension can make Google Chrome into an Ethereum browser. MetaMask delivers all the tools needed for running and developing decentralized applications. The extension was originally developed for Chrome, but now its support has been extended to work with the Brave Browser and Firefox too.

Mist and MetaMask are just the first and most popular tools for accessing the world of blockchain-based applications. This technology is still close to its infancy, and exciting new developments will expand the realm of possibility. Already the tools are robust enough to allow individuals with modest technical skills to build blockchain apps. The leap to user-friendly browsers is a watershed moment in blockchain technology. It puts decentralized applications one step closer to the mainstream.

Spreading Knowledge: Courses In Blockchain & Etherium

Today's job market is struggling with huge new demands for skilled blockchain developers. The number of educational resources offered by universities and private firms is expanding rapidly to meet those needs.Jared Kenna, a pioneer in Bitcoin, estimates that experienced and talented blockchain experts can easily earn more than $200,000 a year.He explains that the supply of people with the relevant skills is extremely low and demand is exploding. Well-qualified experts sometimes receive five job offers a day.

Educational Resources From Arcane Bear & Partners

At Arcane Bear, we've taken dramatic steps to share our industry-leading blockchain knowledge. We want to help cultivate the next generation of skilled blockchain experts. We offer classes intended to teach both the theoretical fundamentals and the practical skills required to excel with blockchain and grow a healthy career.

Blockchain Basics: A Practical Approach

We are working Blockchain Certified Master Course designed to equip students with solid foundational knowledge as well as advanced techniques. Students are taught both the theoretical fundamentals of blockchain technology as well as the skills required to put it to work in practical conditions.

Students will build a personal blockchain in AWS as part of the course. It also covers MultiChain Streams and blockchain application development.

What Apps Are Under Development For Ethereum?

Developers are putting the Ethereum platform to work to solve a range of problems in many different industries. This field is so wide open and so new that predicting which apps will be major hits is a little tricky. These projects are especially promising:

Weifund: This app is intended to bring smart contract benefits to crowdfunding. Weifund will be an open crowdfunding platform that converts contributions into digital assets with contract backing. These assets can then be traded and used within the larger Ethereum market.

Uport: This identity control app is being built to let users take personal control of their personal information. It involves eliminating reliance on third parties and government institutions wherever possible, instead of giving users full control over how their data is accessed and used.

BlockApps: This meta-application is dedicated to creating and managing blockchain applications on an enterprise level. Development, proof of concept, legacy systems integration, and more: Blockapps aims to create a comprehensive suite of development tools. The goal is to make it easy to build new blockchain apps for use in the private, semi-private, and public spheres.

Provenance: The Provenance project is dedicated to using blockchain technology to shine a light onto complex supply chains. The project hopes to collect and share comprehensive origin and transaction data for a wide range of products. The end goal is to allow consumers to make better-informed purchasing decisions.

Augur: This open-source forecasting platform is being built to let anyone reap the rewards of making accurate predictions of real-world events. Virtual shares are traded based on the outcome of future events (e.g. elections) and shareholders in accurate predictions earn monetary rewards.

Ethereum According To Caleb Chen

Caleb Chen of London Trust Media: "Ethereum is a wildly successful and wholly public demonstration of the possibilities of combining smart contracts with a public blockchain. It is both showing off and creating new, disruptive innovations on a scale unseen since the internet's earliest days."

The DAO Hack That Shook The Foundations

As noted previously, the possibility of building Decentralized Autonomous Organizations was one of Ethereum's big selling points. Things took a dark turn in 2016. A startup focused on building a pilot project known as "The DAO" suffered a major hacking attack.

The team responsible for the DAO was made up of the same experts responsible for the Slock.it startup. The goal of the DAO was to minimize human intervention in a venture capital firm and integrate smart contracts into a significant decision-making role for investors. A token sale raised roughly $150 million from thousands of investors to fund further development of the DAO.

Not long after the sale, unknown attackers hacked the DAO and stole a significant quantity of Ether. Its market value at the time of the theft was around $50 million. The vulnerability which enabled the attack was in the DAO's software rather than the Ethereum platform. Nevertheless, the mess fell into the laps of the developers responsible for the platform as a whole.

A Fork In The Road

Considerable debate ensued over how to handle the attack. After examining the problem thoroughly, a vote was put to the Ethereum community as a whole. The decision adopted was to change the fundamental code of the platform to prevent future exploits. This is called a "hard fork." The fork's immediate effect on the theft was to shift the stolen funds onto a new smart contract. This allowed the original owners to reclaim their assets through token withdrawal.

This action was not without its detractors, and even after the vote, a spirited debate over the implications of the fork continued.

One of the foundational principles of the blockchain technology running Ethereum is that transactions are supposed to be unchangeable. The hard fork was an exception to that rule and a change in the rules used for future executions of the blockchain code. In the eyes of many users, the DAO fork sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the way blockchain technology is supposed to work.

If the blockchain is vulnerable to a consensus change whenever a big enough amount of money changes hands or enough users experience negative consequences, the technology may lose some of its keys values. Does the technology remain secure, anonymous, unchangeable, and tamper-proof?

One alternative solution was a less-aggressive "soft" fork. This put the Ethereum platform - both its creators and users - in a tricky situation. Letting investor money be stolen would erode confidence in Ethereum. Balanced against this was the fact that implementing a centralized, tamper-like solution set a poor precedent and might reduce the platforms appeal in the future.

The Result Of The Split

The majority of the community using the Ethereum platform was in favour of the hard fork and the recovery of the money stolen from the DAO investors. Some users objected to this course strongly enough that they favoured the original blockchain over the one created by the fork. Thus, there are now two parallel blockchains. Ethereum Classic is devoted to the members who opposed the hacking fix as incompatible with the technology's core values. The majority that agreed to rewrite a portion of the blockchain in order to edit out a major theft continue to operate oh the main Ethereum platform.

Both blockchains are completely identical up to the block immediately preceding the fork. All developments up until the hard fork are valid on both blockchains, Ethereum and Ethereum Classic. There the two blockchains diverge.

The Future Of Ethereum

While the DAO hack was an undeniable setback, interest in the Ethereum platform remains sky-high. Ethereum's friendliness to both application developers and end users positions it to play a key role in the ongoing story of global decentralization. The number of different industries that could be revolutionized by decentralized applications is virtually limitless. Finance, insurance, real estate, healthcare, public service - all of these and more could be transformed by blockchain technology.

A Message From Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin

The internet has had a dramatic effect on the way we live our lives. Ethereum can bring the same sort of change to the way we communicate and our whole information infrastructure. Its impact will be felt everywhere.The growth of the public Ehetereum platform: Ethereum is poised for tremendous growth in the next two years. It becomes increasingly scalable and user confidentiality becomes fully configurable. Soon, consumers will have a blockchain access point (uPort) allowing them to interact with a whole new ecosystem of decentralized projects.

 

Examples include crowdfunding (Weifund), content registration and utilization tools (ujo), group governance (Boardroom), wisdom sharing (Gnosis), and gaming (Virtue Poker).In the near future, significant companies will be using private blockchains to execute core business processes.

 

Private Blockchains: Corporate blockchains with unique permissions, suitable for secure business processes, will appear within two years. The data in the blockchain will be available to employees, customers, vendors, and partners via transactions protected by strong cryptography.

Consortia Blockchains: Within two years, multiple organizations will begin building consortia blockchains in collaboration with other parties in their ecosystem. These bottom-up creations will start small, focusing on limited use cases and building a trustworthy infrastructure for sharing supply/value chains and useful intelligence.

Public Blockchains: Used Commercially: Some organizations will develop in parallel, using the same blockchain components on both the public Ethereum platform and their own private implementations.On a wider scale, Ethereum is helping to transform the internet. The internet currently has laudable information transparency, making it easy to communicate, share and learn. Ethereum has to potential to bring the same convenience to the immediate exchange of value without relying on central authorities or intermediaries.

Ethereum is emerging as a strong industry leader in blockchain application development. JPMorgan just recently moved its Quorum platform into the open source realm. Quorum was built by Jeff Wilcke and company using the Go Ethereum client as a base. JPMorgan is not the only bank using Ethereum. The platform has been tied strongly to Microsoft's Bletchley platform, too. It will be the foundational blockchain element. While Ethereum is still a toddler in developmental terms, the platform's tremendous promise has attracted huge public and private support.The Ethereum blockchain remains a highly public endeavour. Open-source developers make very significant contributions to the maturation of the platform. They strengthen the platform, make it more secure, and speed it up. The vast number of individuals and organizations devoting their time and resources to Ethereum speaks strongly to their belief in the platform's fundamental value.

Ethereum undoubtedly has more hurdles to overcome in its future, but the transformational potential of the platform seems undeniable. With current applications just scraping the surface of what's possible, the prospect of watching further developments blossom is incredibly exciting.

 

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