如果您正在寻找什么是区块链数据库的简单解释，您将很难找到一个专注于具体细节的解释。大多数区块链爱好者都使用去中心化和分布式账本等广义术语说话，但这一切意味着什么？
阅读完本文后，您将了解什么是区块链数据库，以及为什么它代表了一项可以改变许多行业的惊人新技术。
什么是区块链？(What Is a Blockchain?)
区块链数据库的基础部分称为区块链。如果你问大多数科技博客，他们会说“区块链是分布式账本”。
但什么是“分布式账本”？
把它想象成一个相同的数据文件，它同时存储在世界各地的一堆计算机上。那是一个分布式账本。它是分散的——这意味着数据不会存储在单个服务器上的单个数据库中。
相反，保存数据的整个节点（计算机）网络构成了各种“服务器”。存储在该分类帐中的文件带有加密签名，因此您作为“参与者”可以查看其中包含的数据。
但是，没有中央服务器可以保存所有信息。这就是为什么它被称为“去中心化”的原因。
区块链利用这种分类帐技术来存储由“块”组成的自己的信息类型。每个新的数据“块”都必须由网络上的每个节点确认和验证，然后才能添加。这就是使这项技术如此安全的原因。
换句话说，如果黑客试图使用错误的加密签名将数据附加到区块链，区块链节点将拒绝它。
这是一个区块链。从历史上看(Historically)，该技术已被用于存储电子货币（如比特币(Bitcoin)）的交易。交易是安全的，不能更改或操纵。
然而，区块链数据库以非常不同的方式利用区块链技术。
什么是区块链数据库？(What Is a Blockchain Database?)
区块链数据库是使用区块链技术来存储信息。为了可视化这一点，想象一下今天的航运业是如何运作的，以及它如何使用区块链数据库来运作。
运输清单包含船舶离开时放置在船上的所有货物的清单，在每个码头卸下的货物以及剩余的货物。像这样的运输文件对于像亚马逊(Amazon)或沃尔玛(Walmart)这样每年运送数百万件商品的公司来说至关重要。
清单包含不断更新的日志：
构成整个运输链的海关代理、货运公司和许多其他组织都依赖于这些记录的准确性。不幸的是，世界各地都有欺诈的历史——货物“丢失”并且未经授权修改清单。
数字化流程会有所帮助，但集中式数据库仍然容易受到黑客攻击和操纵。
完美的解决方案是区块链数据库。这是因为一旦区块链数据库被更新并验证为“账本”中的新块，就不可能更改或操纵。
- 在 1 号港口，区块链数据库会更新显示装载到船上的货物数量和价值的记录。
- 在 2 号港口，货物卸载时更新，货运清单在装载时更新。
- 当卡车到达仓库时，区块链数据库会更新货物的数量和位置。
- 当货物离开仓库到商店时，区块链数据库会不断更新有关货物的新信息。
由于每笔交易都经过验证和验证，因此任何试图在此过程中操纵原始数量或价值的尝试都将失败。制衡必须满足区块链中每个节点的严格认证。不允许出现错误的“余额”。(Incorrect “)人为(Human)错误不再是一个有效的借口。
“链式”数据库(A “Chain” Database)
当您从“链”的角度考虑区块链数据库时，很容易想象哪些行业最适合该技术。
通常，这些区域需要在记录中附加新的、准确的、更新的信息。
要查看实际情况，请想象一个非常简化的运输清单，其中包含三件货物。注意：这是一个非常简单的示例，看起来与航运区块链数据库中的实际数据完全不同。此示例仅用于说明目的。
链中的第一个“块”可能包含以下数据。
在第一个端口，将一个新块添加到链中，所有关于卸载货物的交易都由网络节点加密证明相对于原始块是准确的。
如果任何交易相对于第一个区块无效，则新区块将不会被视为有效的区块链交易。
这意味着人为错误不会导致沿途货物“丢失”。整个区块链可以准确记录所有货物的运输路线。
这个过程继续，区块链数据库继续构建额外的块，直到整个运输“交易”完成。任何人都无法更改的任何事情都有准确的记录。
区块链数据库应用(Blockchain Database Applications)
这项技术在现实世界中有用吗？沃尔玛(Walmart)当然是这么认为的。
2018 年，沃尔玛(Walmart)加拿大(Canadian)分部正式推出了自己的区块链供应链，为其 70 家货运公司供应商跟踪此类运输交易。
沃尔玛的区块链仅包含几十个节点来执行运输卡车将货物从一个目的地运送到另一个目的地所需的加密验证。
一位专家表示，当货运公司的记录不匹配时，该系统消除了货运公司之间发生纠纷的可能性。
沃尔玛(Walmart)并不是唯一一家利用区块链数据库的公司。以下所有应用程序都是近年来推出的。
- 2020 年，美国空军正在测试(U.S. Air Force)区块(Defense)链数据库，以便在整个国防部共享文件(Department)。
- 2017 年，爱沙尼亚(Estonia)国家使用该技术来保护公共部门的数据。
- 2019 年，石油和天然气公司Dietsmann与(Dietsmann)Modex启动了区块链试点，以部署自己的区块链项目。
- 2018 年，美国食品药品(Food)监督管理局(Drug Administration)探索使用区块链数据库技术保护医疗保健数据。
- 2019 年，持有 48 万亿美元华尔街投资资产的(Wall Street)Depository Trust & Clearing Corp推出了一个区块链数据库来处理其 50,000 个账户的记录。
如您所见，区块链数据库不仅仅是理论上的。它们被应用于需要可信交易的非常真实的应用程序。
很可能在未来，世界上任何需要最高级别安全性的交易都将由某种类型的区块链数据库技术处理。
HDG Explains : What Is a Blockchain Database?
If уou’re looking for a simple еxplanation of what іs a blockchain database, you’ll be hаrd pressed to find one that focuses on the nuts and bolts. Most blockchain еnthusiasts speak using broad terms like decentralization and distributed ledgers, but what does it all mean?
Once you’re done reading this article, you’ll understand what a blockchain database is and why it represents an amazing new technology that could transform many industries.
What Is a Blockchain?
The foundational piece of a blockchain database is something called a blockchain. If you ask most tech bloggers out there, they’ll say “a blockchain is a distributed ledger”.
But what’s a “distributed ledger”?
Think of it like an identical data file that’s stored on a bunch of computers across the world all at the same time. That’s a distributed ledger. It’s decentralized – meaning the data isn’t stored on a single database sitting on a single server.
Instead, the entire network of nodes (computers) holding the data makes up the “server” of sorts. The file stored in that ledger is provided with a cryptographic signature so that you, as a “participant”, can view the data it contains.
However, there’s no central server that holds all of the information. This is why it’s called “decentralized”.
A blockchain makes use of this ledger technology to store its own type of information made up of “blocks”. Every new “block” of data has to be confirmed and validated by every node on the network before it can get added. This is what makes the technology so secure.
In other words, if a hacker who tries to attach data to the blockchain with the wrong cryptographic signature, the blockchain nodes will reject it.
This is a blockchain. Historically, the technology has been used to store transactions of electronic currency (like Bitcoin). Transactions are secure and can’t be altered or manipulated.
However, a blockchain database makes use of blockchain technology in a very different way.
What Is a Blockchain Database?
A blockchain database is the use of blockchain technology to store information. To visualize this, imagine how the shipping industry works today, versus how it could work using a blockchain database.
A shipping manifest contains a list of all of the cargo placed on board a ship when it departed, what gets unloaded at every dock, and what remains. Shipping documents like this are critical for companies that ship millions of goods a year, like Amazon or Walmart.
A manifest contains a constantly updated log of:
- Description of goods
- Consignor and consignee
- Quantity of goods
- Origin and destination
- Value
Customs agents, trucking companies, and many other organizations that make up the entire shipping chain depend on the accuracy of these records. Unfortunately, throughout the world, there’s a history of fraud – where goods are “lost” and manifests are modified without authorization.
Digitizing the process helps, but a centralized database is still susceptible to hacking and manipulation.
The perfect solution is a blockchain database. This is because once a blockchain database is updated and verified as a new block in the “ledger”, it’s impossible to change or manipulate.
- At port #1, the blockchain database is updated with records showing the quantity and value of goods loaded onto the ship.
- At port #2, it’s updated as goods are offloaded and trucking manifests are updated as they are loaded.
- When trucks arrive at the warehouse, the blockchain database is updated with the quantity and location of the goods.
- When the goods leave the warehouse to the stores, the blockchain database is constantly updated with new information about the goods.
Since every transaction is validated and verified as authenticated and approved, any attempt to manipulate the original quantity or value along the way will fail. Checks and balances must meet the strict authentication of every node in the blockchain. Incorrect “balances” aren’t allowed. Human error is no longer a valid excuse.
A “Chain” Database
When you think of the blockchain database in terms of a “chain”, it’s easy to picture what industries are best for the technology.
Typically, it’s those areas where a record needs to be appended to with new, accurate, updated information.
To see this in action, imagine a very simplified shipping manifest, with three goods. Note: this is a very simple example and looks nothing like actual data in a shipping blockchain database. This example is only used for illustrative purposes.
The first “block” in the chain may contain the following data.
At the first port, a new block is added to the chain with all transactions about offloaded goods cryptographically proven by the network nodes to be accurate in relation to the original block.
If any of the transactions are invalid in relation to the first block, the new block won’t be accepted as a valid blockchain transaction.
This means that human error can’t cause a “loss” of goods along the route. The entire blockchain serves as an accurate record of the route of shipment for all goods along the way.
This process continues, and the blockchain database continues building additional blocks, until the entire shipping “transaction” is complete. There is an accurate record for anything that no one can alter.
Blockchain Database Applications
Is this technology useful in the real world? Walmart certainly thinks so.
In 2018, the Canadian division of Walmart officially launched its own blockchain supply chain that tracked these kinds of shipping transactions for its 70 trucking company vendors.
Walmart’s blockchain only contained a few dozen nodes to perform the cryptographic validation required as shipping trucks carried goods from one destination to another.
One expert said that the system removes the likelihood of disputes between trucking companies when their records don’t match.
Walmart isn’t the only company taking advantage of blockchain databases. All of the following applications have been launched in recent years.
- In 2020, the U.S. Air Force is testing a blockchain database to share documents throughout the Department of Defense.
- In 2017, the nation of Estonia used the technology to protect public-sector data.
- In 2019, oil and gas firm Dietsmann launched a blockchain pilot with Modex to deploy its own blockchain projects.
- In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration explored using blockchain database technology to protect healthcare data.
- In 2019, Depository Trust & Clearing Corp, which holds $48 trillion in Wall Street investment assets, launched a blockchain database to handle its records for 50,000 accounts.
As you can see, blockchain databases aren’t just theoretical. They are being applied to very real real world applications that require trusted transactions.
It may very well be that in the future, any transaction in the world that requires the highest levels of security will be handled by some type of blockchain database technology.
