What is Ethereum?
Ethereum is a cutting edge blockchain-based distributed computing platform, featuring smart contract functionality. It provides a decentralized virtual machine, the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), that can execute peer-to-peer contracts using a crypto-fuel called Ether.
Ethereum is a cutting edge blockchain-based distributed computing platform, featuring smart contract functionality. It provides a decentralized virtual machine, the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), that can execute peer-to-peer contracts using a crypto-fuel called Ether.
Ethereum is a world computer and might change how we interact, just like the internet did, 20 years ago. Like Bitcoin, it is based on a block chain, but Ethereum is more than just a currency:
- Transparent governance for communities
- Secure communications - authentication, messaging,
- Secure backbone for e-commerce and the Internet of Things
- Secure payments
- Integrated development environment for debugging, development and deployment of Ethereum applications
What is blockchain?
With most websites, information is stored on a server, which is basically just a computer with a database in it that has all of the site's information. If that computer is damaged, all the data and the website is gone. With blockchain technology, a database is distributed among a great number of people's computers, so that all information in the database is public and the database can't really be shut down as long as computers are still contributing to it.
Smart Contracts (Ethereum)
Bitcoin and Ethereum are both cryptocurrencies whose ledgers are stored on a distributed blockchain database like this. The thing that makes Ethereum special, as opposed to other cryptocurrency that uses blockchain technology, is that you can actually execute code on the blockchain in this same distributed way. So now, instead of just using the blockchain as a glorified ledger, you can do something like specify conditions under which a person will be paid, and once those conditions are met the money will automatically go to the person without any outside interference (and in spite of anything that happens to one computer involved in the network). People call these chunks of code 'smart contracts', because it's code that represents an agreement that is able to enforce and execute itself.
With most websites, information is stored on a server, which is basically just a computer with a database in it that has all of the site's information. If that computer is damaged, all the data and the website is gone. With blockchain technology, a database is distributed among a great number of people's computers, so that all information in the database is public and the database can't really be shut down as long as computers are still contributing to it.
Smart Contracts (Ethereum)
Bitcoin and Ethereum are both cryptocurrencies whose ledgers are stored on a distributed blockchain database like this. The thing that makes Ethereum special, as opposed to other cryptocurrency that uses blockchain technology, is that you can actually execute code on the blockchain in this same distributed way. So now, instead of just using the blockchain as a glorified ledger, you can do something like specify conditions under which a person will be paid, and once those conditions are met the money will automatically go to the person without any outside interference (and in spite of anything that happens to one computer involved in the network). People call these chunks of code 'smart contracts', because it's code that represents an agreement that is able to enforce and execute itself.
Ethereum the world computer
Where do I start?
You want to start by getting yourself set up with a wallet. You have a number of choices:
Get Ether, write smart contracts, build DApps
You want to start by getting yourself set up with a wallet. You have a number of choices:
- Download the Mist Wallet
- Download the Parity Wallet
- Download the Harmony Wallet
- Install the MetaMask Chrome extension
- Use the client-side MyEtherWallet generator
- Secure your keys with Ledger Nano S or Trezor hardware wallets
Get Ether, write smart contracts, build DApps
Ethereum fan arts (T shirts & logos)