Blockchain Learning and Practice Handbook

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Blockchain technology has rapidly evolved from a niche innovation behind Bitcoin to a transformative force across industries. This comprehensive guide—crafted through firsthand experience—offers a structured pathway for beginners and enthusiasts to understand, explore, and contribute to the decentralized future. Whether you're diving into smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), or distributed ledger mechanics, this handbook delivers practical insights and foundational knowledge.

👉 Start mastering blockchain with powerful tools and resources today.

What Is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a distributed database that records, verifies, and shares information across a peer-to-peer network. Often referred to as the "internet of value," it enables secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant data exchange without centralized intermediaries.

The concept was first introduced in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto in the Bitcoin Whitepaper, which laid the foundation for the world’s first cryptocurrency. The following year, Nakamoto mined the genesis block, marking the birth of the Bitcoin network—the first real-world implementation of blockchain technology.

Since then, blockchain has inspired countless innovations beyond digital currencies. From consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) to cryptographic improvements such as the SCrypt algorithm, developers have continuously refined its architecture for greater efficiency and scalability.

Today, blockchain powers:

Developers are now building decentralized applications (DApps) across finance, supply chain, healthcare, and governance—ushering in a new era of trustless digital interaction.

How to Use This Handbook

This guide is designed for flexible learning. You can access it in multiple ways depending on your preference.

Online Reading

For the most up-to-date experience, visit the live version at https://blockchain.qikqiak.com. The site is optimized for fast loading and responsive navigation, making it ideal for both desktop and mobile users.

Local Viewing

To view the content offline:

  1. Clone the repository:
    git clone https://github.com/cnych/blockchain-handbook.git
  2. Install GitBook CLI:
    Follow instructions at GitBook Setup Guide
  3. Serve locally:
    Run gitbook serve
  4. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:4000
  5. The generated static site will be available in the _book directory

👉 Discover how blockchain developers are using advanced platforms to test and deploy innovations.

Downloadable Formats

Pre-built versions in PDF, ePub, and Mobi formats are available for offline study. These are regularly updated and include timestamps in footnotes for version tracking.

While older versions may be accessible via third-party services, we recommend using the official online site for reliability and speed.

Generating Your Own E-Book

With GitBook, you can convert the entire handbook into portable e-book formats:

# Generate PDF
gitbook pdf ./ ./mybook.pdf

# Generate ePub
gitbook epub ./ ./mybook.epub

# Generate Mobi
gitbook mobi ./ ./mybook.mobi

Installing ebook-convert

To generate e-books, you’ll need ebook-convert, part of the Calibre e-book management suite.

On Linux

Install Calibre via package manager:

sudo aptitude install calibre

If Node.js is installed separately, create a symbolic link:

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node

On macOS

  1. Download Calibre from calibre-ebook.com/download
  2. Move calibre.app to your Applications folder

  3. Create a symlink:

    sudo ln -s /Applications/calibre.app/Contents/MacOS/ebook-convert /usr/bin

If you encounter Operation not permitted, bypass system restrictions by setting environment variables:

# Add to ~/.bash_profile
export EBOOK_PATH=/Applications/calibre.app/Contents/MacOS
export PATH=$PATH:$EBOOK_PATH

Reload your shell configuration:

source ~/.bash_profile

Verify installation:

ebook-convert --version
# Output: ebook-convert (calibre x.x.x)

Once confirmed, use GitBook commands to generate high-quality e-books for personal or educational use.

Customizing the Cover

You can personalize your e-book with a custom cover. Simply place a cover.jpg file in the root directory. Optionally, add cover_small.jpg for thumbnail displays.

Cover Requirements

Alternatively, use the autocover plugin to auto-generate professional-looking covers based on your book’s metadata.

Exporting to PDF

To generate a PDF version:

cd ~/your-project-directory
gitbook pdf ./ ./blockchain-handbook.pdf

Understanding the command breakdown:

If your project supports multiple languages, GitBook will generate separate files labeled by language code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is prior programming experience required to benefit from this handbook?
A: While helpful, coding knowledge isn’t mandatory. The guide starts with foundational concepts and gradually introduces technical topics, making it accessible to beginners.

Q: Can I contribute even if I’m not an expert?
A: Absolutely. Contributions include fixing typos, improving explanations, translating content, or suggesting new sections. Everyone’s input strengthens the community.

Q: How often is the content updated?
A: Updates are ongoing, reflecting changes in blockchain standards, tools, and best practices. Check the changelog or repository commit history for details.

Q: Are there interactive exercises or code samples included?
A: Yes—practical examples, configuration files, and code snippets are embedded throughout to reinforce learning through hands-on practice.

Q: Is this handbook focused only on Bitcoin and Ethereum?
A: No. While these are covered extensively, the content explores broader blockchain principles applicable to various platforms and use cases.

Q: Can I use this material for teaching or training purposes?
A: Yes, under open-source licensing terms. Just ensure proper attribution and check the repository’s license for specific conditions.

How to Contribute

This handbook thrives on community collaboration. Here’s how you can help improve it.

Report Issues

Found an error or have a question? Open an issue on GitHub. Include clear details so others can understand and resolve it efficiently.

Submit Pull Requests

When you identify factual inaccuracies or structural issues:

  1. Fork the repository
  2. Create a new branch (git checkout -b fix/issue-description)
  3. Make edits and commit changes
  4. Push to your fork
  5. Open a pull request with a descriptive summary

Always reference related issues when applicable.

Writing Guidelines

Follow these rules when adding new content:

Adding New Documents

  1. Create your Markdown file in the relevant section
  2. Update SUMMARY.md to include the new page in the navigation tree
  3. Test locally with gitbook serve
  4. Verify appearance at http://localhost:4000
  5. Commit and submit a pull request

Your contributions help democratize blockchain education globally.

Join the Community

Engage with fellow learners and developers passionate about decentralization.

A WeChat group named Blockchain 6:30 PM offers real-time discussions. To join:

Stay informed, ask questions, and share breakthroughs with peers shaping the future of web3.

👉 Connect with global blockchain innovators and explore next-generation tools.