2017-02-22 Departmental seminar: Andrea Bracciali (Stirling)

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 21:24:08 +0100

Andrea Bracciali (Stirling)

An introduction to Blockchains

Abstract

Blockchains, i.e. decentralised, distributed data structures which can also carry executable code for a non-standard execution environment, introduce new models of computation. Decentralised, here, means, informally speaking, "without central control", e.g. a currency without a (central) bank, but much more. Blockchains support the recently introduced virtual currencies, a la Bitcoin, and a new class of decentralised applications, including smart contracts. In this talk we will introduce the main aspects of a blockchain, with particular reference to the Bitcoin blockchain as a paradigmatic case of such a new model of computation, and also touching on smart contracts. No previous knowledge of bitcoin/blockchain required for this introductory talk.

2017-02-22 15:00:00 UTC
LT1415