Practical blockchain applications
Blocked Out?
© Lead Image © Dmitry Sunagatov, Fotolia.com
After all the hype, we look at where blockchain is being used today outside cryptocurrencies.
The success of Bitcoin not only prompted numerous other cryptocurrencies, but it also put blockchain in the spotlight for the IT industry. Investors jumped on the bandwagon, companies appointed blockchain managers, and countless studies and pilot projects explored the potential applications. But what remains of the former hype? This article sets out on a surprisingly rocky path in the search for clues about where blockchain is being used today.
A blockchain stores data blocks in a strict sequence. Unlike in a conventional database, these blocks are stored in a chain. In order to detect manipulation, each newly added block contains a checksum of the previous block, while other sophisticated techniques ensure that the entire data chain can be stored in a decentralized or distributed manner.
Blockchain's functionality makes it suitable for accounting: It is tamper-proof and every change can be tracked, like a kind of distributed ledger. Blockchain is also ideal for storing individual tokens that represent passwords, images, or currency units, for example.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Releases RHEL 10 Early
Red Hat quietly rolled out the official release of RHEL 10.0 a bit early.
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.