> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cll-devrel.gitbook.io/bootcamp-2024/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cll-devrel.gitbook.io/bootcamp-2024/glossary.md). # Glossary | Term | Definition | Notes | | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----- | | Distributed Ledger | A distributed ledger (also called a shared ledger or distributed ledger technology or DLT) is the consensus of replicated, shared, and synchronized digital data that is geographically spread (distributed) across many sites, countries, or institutions. | | | Hash | A cryptographic hash function (CHF) is a [hash algorithm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_algorithm) (a [map](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_\(mathematics\)) of an arbitrary binary string to a binary string with a fixed size of �![{\displaystyle n}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/a601995d55609f2d9f5e233e36fbe9ea26011b3b) bits) that has special properties desirable for a [cryptographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography) application: | | | Merkle Tree | In [cryptography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography) and [computer science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science), a hash tree or Merkle tree is a [tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_\(data_structure\)) in which every "leaf" [node](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_\(data_structure\)#Terminology) is labelled with the [cryptographic hash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptographic_hash_function) of a data block, and every node that is not a leaf (called a *branch*, *inner node*, or *inode*) is labelled with the cryptographic hash of the labels of its child nodes. A hash tree allows efficient and secure verification of the contents of a large [data structure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_structure). A hash tree is a generalization of a [hash list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_list) and a [hash chain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_chain). | | | Blocks | **Blocks** are data containers where data is permanently recorded on a blockchain. | | | Finite-state machine | A behavior model that consists of finite number of states | | | Public Key | The key available for anyone to use when utilizing Public Key Cryptography | | | Private Key | The key designed to decrypt data encrypted with the public key | | | Cryptography | the practice and study of techniques for [secure communication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_communication) in the presence of [adversarial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adversary_\(cryptography\)) behavior.[\[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography#cite_note-rivest90-2) | | | Authentication | the act of proving an [assertion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_assertion), such as the [identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_identity) of a computer system user | | | Node | A single processing server in a communications network | | | Peer-to-peer (p2p) | A distributed application design that partitions taks or workloads between peers. | | | Game Theory | Game theory is the study of [mathematical models](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_model) of strategic interactions among [rational agents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_agent). | | | Mining | On a blockchain, *mining* is the validation of transactions. For this effort, successful miners obtain new cryptocurrency as a reward. The reward decreases [transaction fees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency#Transaction_fees) by creating a complementary incentive to contribute to the processing power of the network. | | | Wallet | Key manager used to manage your cryptocurrencies or tokens | | | mnemonic phrase | Equivalent to a private key and is not encrypted. | | | Testnet | An equivalent technology blockchain but intended to be used of experimentation | | | Faucets | A provider that produces and distributes tokens for testing | | | Smart Contract | Collections of logic that exist on the block chain that automate transactions between two parties. | | | Integrated Development Environment (IDE) | A piece of software or service that facilitates the development of software. | | | Block Explorer | A service that facilitates the examination of the blockchain in an easy manner. | | | Application Binary Interface (ABI) | A JSON object that describes the input, outputs, and structure of smart contracts. | | | Solidity | A programming language optimized to develop smart contracts and compile them for blockchain deployment. | | | Compile | Transforming Human Readable code into machine code | | | Validators | Are authoritative mechanisms that check whether new transactions align with the network’s rules and ensure that the sender has adequate funds to complete the transaction | | | finite-state machine (FSM) | A finite-state machine (FSM) or finite-state automaton (FSA, plural: automata), finite automaton, or simply a state machine, is a mathematical model of computation. It is an abstract machine that can be in exactly one of a finite number of states at any given time. | |