Distributed Systems and Ledgers
Summary
This chapter introduces the principles of distributed systems and how they enable distributed ledgers. Students will learn how data replication, immutability, and append-only structures work together to form the foundation of blockchain technology. The chapter covers the complete anatomy of a blockchain — from the definition itself through block structure, block headers, block bodies, genesis blocks, transactions, and transaction validation.
Concepts Covered
This chapter covers the following 12 concepts from the learning graph:
- Distributed System
- Distributed Ledger
- Ledger Replication
- Immutability
- Append-Only Data
- Blockchain Definition
- Block Structure
- Block Header
- Block Body
- Genesis Block
- Transaction
- Transaction Validation
Prerequisites
This chapter builds on concepts from:
- Chapter 1: Trust and Digital Networks
- Chapter 2: Cryptographic Foundations
- Chapter 3: Keys, Signatures, and Identity
TODO: Generate Chapter Content