Blockchain Beyond Bitcoin
This session takes a deep dive on the design and implementation of the proof of work algorithm at the heart of most cryptocurrencies, along with details of how difficult it is to spoof, how transactions work, what happens when all the coins have been mined, and other practical considerations.
Bitcoin has generated a lot of both negative and positive buzz, but it’s important to differentiate between the different aspects of cryptocurrency: the algorithm, the commodity, and the implications. This session takes a deep dive on the design and implementation of the proof of work algorithm at the heart of most cryptocurrencies, along with details of how difficult it is to spoof, how transactions work, what happens when all the coins have been mined, and other practical considerations. I also discuss the use of the proof of work algorithm to implement a wide variety of other types of distributed trust: legal documents, voting systems, and a modification of the entire commerce structure that has existed since medieval times. Don’t be confused by the hype around specific implementations: this algorithm will have wide reaching, tectonic repercussions.
About Neal Ford
Neal is Director, Software Architect, and Meme Wrangler at ThoughtWorks, a global IT consultancy with an exclusive focus on end-to-end software development and delivery.
Before joining ThoughtWorks, Neal was the Chief Technology Officer at The DSW Group, Ltd., a nationally recognized training and development firm. Neal has a degree in Computer Science from Georgia State University specializing in languages and compilers and a minor in mathematics specializing in statistical analysis.
He is also the designer and developer of applications, instructional materials, magazine articles, video presentations, and author of 6 books, including the most recent The Productive Programmer. His language proficiencies include Java, C#/.NET, Ruby, Groovy, functional languages, Scheme, Object Pascal, C++, and C. His primary consulting focus is the design and construction of large-scale enterprise applications. Neal has taught on-site classes nationally and internationally to all phases of the military and to many Fortune 500 companies. He is also an internationally acclaimed speaker, having spoken at over 100 developer conferences worldwide, delivering more than 600 talks. If you have an insatiable curiosity about Neal, visit his web site at http://www.nealford.com. He welcomes feedback and can be reached at nford@thoughtworks.com.