Brenn Hill - Blockchain Quick Reference: A guide to exploring decentralized blockchain application development

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First published: August 2018

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ISBN 978-1-78899-578-8

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Considering the frenzy around Blockchain and it's firs t killer app, Bitcoin, it is notab le how few people actually understand not only what it is, but why it is. At its core, it is a ledgernot necessarily sexy, so why all the fuss?

We can go back to the invention of double-entry bookkeeping during the Renaissance to see the impact of a trustworthy ledger. Likewise, we can look to the more recent financial crisis of 2008 to study the impact of non-trustworthy ledgers. A secure, distributed, verifiable, and programmable account of transactions between parties has the flexibility to impact on a wide variety of businesses. Banking and finance are the most obvious businesses to benefit from this. Indeed this is what gave rise to Bitcoinutilizing Blockchain to avoid the traditional model of a centralized bank to manage transactions between entities and reduce costs by removing the middleman.

Really, any supply chain is impacted, whether it be money, livestock, precious gems, or classic cars. Both physical and virtual assets can take advantage of Blockchain as a way to ensure that you're getting what you are told you're getting. This certainly justifies the fuss.

This brings us to Blockchain Quick Reference. The name belies the thoroughness of the book while emphasizing it's concise, clear-eyed approach. Brenn, Samanyu, and Paul have laid out a methodical manual that avoids hyperbole. Starting with Blockchain 101 and progressing in-depth into topics at the core of Blockchain such as consensus, smart contracts, and the fundamental cryptographic concepts that form the foundation for any secure system.

The first half of the book gives a reader a solid foundation for understanding the what and why of this process. I say process rather than technology because it is not a single item but a collection of technologies combined with a systematic and consistent methodology. They then dive into real-world examples that give context to the hysteria. They, of course, cover Bitcoin and some of its competitors such as Ethereum along with an explanation of the often-heard but rarely understood Initial Coin Offerings. The authors are not wide-eyed academics but seasoned technologists who address the practical need for understanding and realistic dialog. The 1990's saw unrealistic, unjustified growth for companies founded upon the nascent World Wide Web. The aftermath of the bubble burst left in place the foundation of the internet and a move towards broadband that drives much of the economy today. Similarly, the Bitcoin craze has exposed the world to the benefits and mysteries of Blockchain.

Blockchain Quick Reference explores these benefits and makes it less mysterious and it certainly warrants a bit of fuss.

By Rino Lupetin,
Managing Partner, P&I
6D Global Technologies, Inc.

Brenn Hill is a senior software engineer who has worked with such clients as NASCAR, PGA Tour, Time Warner Cable, and many others. He has experience leading international teams o n cannot fail enginee ring projects. He strives to work with business to ensure that tech projects achieve good ROI and solve key business problems. He has a master's degree in Information Science from UNC-CH and currently travels the world as a digital nomad.

Samanyu Chopra is a developer, entrepreneur, and Blockchain supporter with wide experience of conceptualizing, developing, and producing computer and mobile software's. He has been programming since the age of 11. He is proficient in programming languages such as JavaScript, Scala, C#, C++, Swift, and so on. He has a wide range of experience in developing for computers and mobiles. He has been a supporter of Bitcoin and blockchain since its early days and has been part of wide-ranging decentralized projects since a long time. You can write a tweet to him at @samdonly1.

Paul Valencourt is CFO of BlockSimple Solutions. He currently helps people launch STOs and invest in cryptocurrency mining. Harass him on LinkedIn.