3.1 KiB
Assignment
The tasks assigned were confusing, because of the terms used without clear definition. This document is rewriting things based on references found on internet or generated using OpenAI.
Definitions
-
Hash Packing (cryto-currency): Hash packing can be interpreted as a method where multiple discrete data items are combined into a single composite data structure and then hashed using a cryptographic hash function to produce a single output hash. This process is commonly implemented using data structures like Merkle trees, as previously discussed. Here, the idea is to aggregate data efficiently so that the integrity and authenticity of the entire dataset can be verified through a single hash, the Merkle root. Hash packing is often used to create a compact and efficient representation of a large dataset for purposes like proving data integrity without needing to handle the entire dataset. Hash Packing output is a single hash representing a set of data items. In blockchain technology, transactions within a block can be hashed together using a Merkle tree, resulting in a single hash that effectively represents all transactions.
-
Combines many data items into one hash.
-
Utilizes structures like Merkle trees for efficient data aggregation and verification.
-
Commonly used to ensure data integrity and enable efficient verification processes (e.g., in blockchain transactions).
-
-
Sequential Hashing (cryptography): Sequential Hashing refers to the process of applying a hash function to data sequentially. This could mean hashing data in a series where the output of hashing one piece of data may be used as input for the next hashing operation, or continuously feeding data into a hash function as it is received. Sequential hashing is typically used in scenarios where the order and continuity of data are critical, such as in securing a timeline of records or events. In a blockchain, each block's header contains the hash of the previous block's header, creating a sequential chain of block hashes. This chain secures the entire blockchain by making it resistant to tampering.
-
Data is processed in a sequence, one piece after another.
-
Each piece of data can be dependent on the hash of the previous piece, creating a chain of hashes.
-
Often used for creating hash chains or for situations where data needs to be timestamped or added in a specific order, such as in some forms of ledger or blockchain technology.
-
-
Proof of Custody (blockchain/crypto-currency): Proof of custody in the context of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology generally refers to a mechanism or protocol by which a participant (often called a prover) can demonstrate to others (called verifiers) that they correctly possess certain data without actually revealing the data itself. This is particularly important in scenarios where large amounts of data are stored off-chain or in decentralized storage systems, as in the case of some scaling solutions like sharding.