What computer science concepts should I learn to work with Blockchain?

Question

Hi HN!I am looking to get comfortable using Blockchain technology over the coming year. What computer science concepts should I be comfortable with/seek to master?A bit about me: I am a self taught developer with a background that is general IT. I mostly use HTML, CSS, Python and of late I have been dipping my toes in JavaScript as well as Node.js.

buzzier · Accepted Answer

Mastering Bitcoin https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbook
An awesome curated list of Cryptoeconomic research and learning materials https://github.com/jpantunes/awesome-cryptoeconomics
A collection about awesome blockchains https://github.com/openblockchains/awesome-blockchains
Building Blockchain in Go https://jeiwan.net/posts/building-blockchain-in-go-part-1/

decentralised · Answer

Some level of cryptography (hash functions and signatures), some distributed computing (consensus algorithms, P2P networking), some tech/economics (game theory, mechanism design).If you start with Ethereum, the js ecosystem around it is by far the most advanced in the blockchain space and you can hit the ground running pretty fast building dApps while you learn more about the protocols that make them interesting.

knopkop_ · Answer

Some recommended reading:https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbookhttps://github.com/ethereumbook/ethereumbookJimmy Song's "Programming Bitcoin"

tastroder · Answer

Merkle trees and hash functions mostly. Any advanced data structure course curriculum will likely do. Or go the out of the box route and toy around with AWS hyperledger and the like.Pick up a marketing course while you're at it, the number of people using Blockchain technology for technically sound reasons is pretty small.

drallison · Answer

Read Maurice Herlihy's review article: https://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2019/2/234355-blockchains-fro...You will find that doing a cost-benefit analysis of Blockchains and their use in a variety of applications to be a useful exercise.

api · Answer

Nobody mentioned game theory, so I will mention game theory. Having a basic intuition for it helps in understanding the fine points of consensus etc.

stephenr · Answer

I&rsquo;d suggest a healthy grasp of scepticism and an understanding of what buzzworditis is.Seriously.

What computer science concepts should I learn to work with Blockchain?

Some recommended reading:
https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbook
https://github.com/ethereumbook/ethereumbook
Jimmy Song's "Programming Bitcoin"

Read Maurice Herlihy's review article: https://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2019/2/234355-blockchains-fro...
You will find that doing a cost-benefit analysis of Blockchains and their use in a variety of applications to be a useful exercise.

Nobody mentioned game theory, so I will mention game theory. Having a basic intuition for it helps in understanding the fine points of consensus etc.

I’d suggest a healthy grasp of scepticism and an understanding of what buzzworditis is.
Seriously.