Block
Fundamental unit of validated information storage in a blockchain.
Beginner-friendly explanation
A block is like a box containing important information (such as transactions). When a block is full, it is added to the blockchain and a new block starts.
📌 Example: When you send Bitcoin, the transaction is recorded in a block.
Intermediate-level insight
A block aggregates a set of transactions or data along with a header containing metadata (timestamp, previous block hash, nonce). Its validation by the network ensures blockchain consistency.
📌 Example: In Bitcoin, each block is limited to 1 MB of data, setting a cap on the number of transactions it can hold.
Advanced perspective
A block is structured around a header containing the previous block hash, a Merkle root aggregating all transactions, a timestamp, a nonce, and protocol-specific data. The block also carries mining rewards (block reward) and may include complex scripts on some networks.
📌 Example: In Ethereum, a block contains not only transactions but also smart contract calls executed by the EVM.
Blockchain & Technology
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