Mastering Blockchain, Second Edition

Learn about cryptography and cryptocurrencies, so you can build highly secure, decentralized applications and conduct trusted in-app transactions.
Key FeaturesGet to grips with the underlying technical principles and implementations of blockchainBuild powerful applications using Ethereum to secure transactions and create smart contractsExplore cryptography, mine cryptocurrencies, and solve scalability issues with this comprehensive guideBook DescriptionA blockchain is a distributed ledger that is replicated across multiple nodes and enables immutable, transparent and cryptographically secure record-keeping of transactions. The blockchain technology is the backbone of cryptocurrencies, and it has applications in finance, government, media and almost all other industries. Mastering Blockchain, Second Edition has been thoroughly updated and revised to provide a detailed description of this leading technology and its implementation in the real world.
This book begins with the technical foundations of blockchain technology, teaching you the fundamentals of distributed systems, cryptography and how it keeps data secure. You will learn about the mechanisms behind cryptocurrencies and how to develop applications using Ethereum, a decentralized virtual machine. You will also explore different other blockchain solutions and get an introduction to business blockchain frameworks under Hyperledger, a collaborative effort for the advancement of blockchain technologies hosted by the Linux Foundation. You will also be shown how to implement blockchain solutions beyond currencies, Internet of Things with blockchain, blockchain scalability, and the future scope of this fascinating and powerful technology.
What you will learnMaster the theoretical and technical foundations of the blockchain technologyUnderstand the concept of decentralization, its impact, and its relationship with blockchain technologyMaster how cryptography is used to secure data — with practical examplesGrasp the inner workings of blockchain and the mechanisms behind bitcoin and alternative cryptocurrenciesUnderstand the theoretical foundations of smart contractsLearn how Ethereum blockchain works and how to develop decentralized applications using Solidity and relevant development frameworksIdentify and examine applications of the blockchain technology — beyond currenciesInvestigate alternative blockchain solutions including Hyperledger, Corda, and many moreExplore research topics and the future scope of blockchain technologyWho this book is forThis book will appeal to those who wish to build fast, highly secure, transactional applications. It targets people who are familiar with the concept of blockchain and are comfortable with a programming language.
Imran Bashir has an M.Sc. in Information Security from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has a background in software development, solution architecture, infrastructure management, and IT service management. He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the British Computer Society (BCS). Imran has sixteen years' of experience in the public and financial sectors. He worked on large scale IT projects in the public sector before moving to the financial services industry. Since then, he has worked in various technical roles for different financial companies in Europe's financial capital, London. He is currently working for an investment bank in London as Vice President in the Technology department.