This article will explain what a blockchain is and why an operating system need to be built around one.
What Is a Blockchain?
A blockchain is a ledger of events or transactions that are designed to resist tampering. It achieves this by performing “decentralization” which is a fancy term that means there’s no one single master copy of the records. For instance, if you and four housemates drew up a master schedule for house chores and had one person look after it, this is a centralized system. The keeper of the schedule is the one in control of it. As such, he can make small adjustments so he can get out of the chores he hates. However, what if everyone agreed on a chores schedule, then printed off a copy for everyone to have? That way, if someone tries to edit the schedule to their favor, the other four housemates can correct them with their copies. Likewise, if someone wants to shuffle some chores around and everyone agrees on the change, they can all update their schedule to reflect this. A blockchain sort of works like this. It uses different computers on a network to keep a log of a ledger, with every computer having its own copy. When someone tries to add or edit an entry on the blockchain, all the computers involved will verify it. Once it passes the check, it’s added to the blockchain, and all the computers on the network update their own copy to reflect this.
What Is a Blockchain Operating System?
The main problem with all these blockchains is that there are so many of them. They’re great for stores, transit, production, and cryptocurrency ledgers, which means that the future will be packed full of blockchains. Additionally, there are all kinds of operating systems and software in use. This means there’s a lot of incompatibility between different systems. A blockchain operating system aims to solve both of these problems. For one, the blockchain operating systems of today are virtual. That means they don’t run on your computer’s hardware but instead operate on the cloud. This means you can manage your blockchains on PC, iOS, or even mobile phones. Second, the aim of a blockchain operating system is to encompass every blockchain possible. For instance, you may invest in a cryptocurrency, which the OS will show in a wallet. You may then spread your funds across several cryptocurrency blockchains, and the OS will keep tabs of each balance. You then head to the OS’s marketplace and see someone selling a console that you’d like. You load up on cryptocurrency and buy it, and the OS manages the removal of funds and the addition of the log onto the marketplace blockchain. This is all performed with a GUI, much like the operating system on a computer or mobile phone. This makes it easy to manage different blockchain-operated apps without worrying about cross-compatibility.
Keeping the Future Connected
Blockchains are a useful tool that find a home in many niches – so much so that there will eventually be too many to count! Fortunately, blockchain operating systems will help collate these ledgers to make it easier to manage and use them. What’s the most exciting application of blockchains for you? Let us know below.
