3 ms·

The key element of the blockchain is proof-of-work as a way to establish consensus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof-of-work_system https://en.wikipedia.org/

The key element of the blockchain is proof-of-work as a way to establish consensus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof-of-work_system https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof-of-work_system git doesn’t have (or for its purposes, need) this, so it doesn’t meet any common definition of blockchain. Prior question: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9436847 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9436847

ocds 9y ago
Proof of work is the key element of bitcoin, not blockchain in my opinion. From the same source: "A blockchain[1][2][3] – originally block chain[4][5] – is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.[1][6] Each block typically contains a hash pointer as a link to a previous block,[6] a timestamp and transaction data.[7] By design, blockchains are inherently resistant to modification of the data." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain
ocds 9y ago
Ok thanks for the prior question. I'm new here, I don't see the search bar at the bottom of HN.
51wittgenstein 9y ago
It's nuanced, but proof-of-work is instrumental in achieving consensus... right now. Truly, the key element is the consensus itself which can be achieved (theoretically) in a number of other ways.
- ocds 9y ago
  In software development using git (without the help of centralized solution as github), the consensus is reached by mail and discussions betweens human people who build software and decide where is the trunk.
dozzie 9y ago
> The key element of the blockchain is proof-of-work as a way to establish consensus It's not "a way to establish consensus". It's just to slow everybody down to comparable level, while keeping verification fast. Consensus is a totally different problem blockchain doesn't even touch.

3 ms·

The key element of the blockchain is proof-of-work as a way to establish consensus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof-of-work_system https://en.wikipedia.org/

by troydavis 9y ago

ocds 9y ago
Proof of work is the key element of bitcoin, not blockchain in my opinion. From the same source: "A blockchain[1][2][3] – originally block chain[4][5] – is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography.[1][6] Each block typically contains a hash pointer as a link to a previous block,[6] a timestamp and transaction data.[7] By design, blockchains are inherently resistant to modification of the data." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain
ocds 9y ago
Ok thanks for the prior question. I'm new here, I don't see the search bar at the bottom of HN.
51wittgenstein 9y ago
It's nuanced, but proof-of-work is instrumental in achieving consensus... right now. Truly, the key element is the consensus itself which can be achieved (theoretically) in a number of other ways.
- ocds 9y ago
  In software development using git (without the help of centralized solution as github), the consensus is reached by mail and discussions betweens human people who build software and decide where is the trunk.
dozzie 9y ago
> The key element of the blockchain is proof-of-work as a way to establish consensus It's not "a way to establish consensus". It's just to slow everybody down to comparable level, while keeping verification fast. Consensus is a totally different problem blockchain doesn't even touch.