block chain.

[anunitu]

I see this mentioned a lot,and hope someone can explain what it is exactly in programming?

The concept it seems can be used in large business.

[anunitu]

i did find this from IBM.

https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/what-is-blockchain?S_PKG=CoG&cm_mmc=Search_Google-_-Blockchain_Blockchain-_-WW_NA-_-block+chain_Exact_CoG&cm_mmca1=000020YK&cm_mmca2=10005804&cm_mmca7=9003715&cm_mmca8=kwd-298043250668&cm_mmca9=1da2dc2d-06eb-4826-ac3e-5e18045d837c&cm_mmca10=267313592806&cm_mmca11=e&mkwid=1da2dc2d-06eb-4826-ac3e-5e18045d837c|1298|32645&cvosrc=ppc.google.block%20chain&cvo_campaign=000020YK&cvo_crid=267313592806&Matchtype=e

[fearless]

Basic overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSo_EIwHSd4
More detailed demo/example: https://anders.com/blockchain/
Honestly a lot of companies dont need a blockchain, and a lot are repackaging "blockchain solutions" as a way of selling well basically a database. There is some use cases for blockchains, but a lot of companies wont ever need one. Immutability can be achieved by using hashes in a database, no need for using a cumbersome blockchain for that purpose. Decentralization is useful to prevent censorship, but does a company need that for what is effectively a database/ledger. No in 99.99% of cases.

You will hear about projects, ICOs etc all claiming to launch a blockchain to be the next big thing for a particular sector of finance, industry, logistics, shipping, housing etc etc. Very few actually need a blockchain, let alone there own token.

Bitcoin uses a blockchain and as such is the best example of something that requires a blockchain for decentralization and immutability.
Look into bitcoin, the satoshi white paper and that will help give you an understanding of the bitcoin blockchain.
From a programming point of view, contributing to a open source cryptocurrency, or creating a tool/utility that helps users interact with blockchains (bitcoin etc) like full node software wallets, spv wallets, or block explorers are where the majority of development is, as far as i know. Other programming that is useful to look into is with the lightning network with 3 implementations so far (all open source) and the zap wallet for the lighting network.

[anunitu]

Truly,the tech is growing way to fast for my reptilian brain to keep up with.

[K_F]

.. and therein lies the problem with the blockchain, that had eventually caused the 'failure' of bitcoin.

'The chain of blocks' eventually self-hemorrhages and it's distributed network comes to a grinding halt.