Patrick McCorryMental models for L1 and L2
Cryptocurrencies are leading a paradigm shift in database technologyThe cornerstone of a cryptocurrency is the database. It records the account balances of all users, smart contract code and state. Any action performed by the user is eventually reflected by executing a transaction and updating the database. The problem with “Web2” database technology is all the trust that makes it work. It relies upon a trusted third party to maintain and protect the database. If they go offline, then all acc...
Patrick McCorryEthereum's account model
We focus on how accounts (and smart contract state) is stored in Ethereum’s database. and the structure of transactions to update this database. Disclaimer: We avoid the nitty gritty of the exact implementation as it will confuse a new reader.Ethereum accountsThere are two account types in Ethereum:Externally owned account (EOA). A public key that is owned by the user and a corresponding digital signature can be produced.Smart contract account. The address is associated with a computer progra...
Patrick McCorryWhy are cryptocurrencies interesting?
If there is a single takeaway from this article, then it should be that the field of cryptocurrencies is reviving the boring topic of database technology. We have always assumed the need to blindly trust an authority to manage and protect a database. But cryptocurrency has led to a paradigm shift as our community works on the pursuit to build a database that anyone can read, write and protect. How this is achieved is very interesting and simple. In this article, we consider it through the len...
Patrick has spent most of his adult life working on cryptocurrencies and his time was split across academic research and industry.
Patrick McCorryMental models for L1 and L2
Cryptocurrencies are leading a paradigm shift in database technologyThe cornerstone of a cryptocurrency is the database. It records the account balances of all users, smart contract code and state. Any action performed by the user is eventually reflected by executing a transaction and updating the database. The problem with “Web2” database technology is all the trust that makes it work. It relies upon a trusted third party to maintain and protect the database. If they go offline, then all acc...
Patrick McCorryEthereum's account model
We focus on how accounts (and smart contract state) is stored in Ethereum’s database. and the structure of transactions to update this database. Disclaimer: We avoid the nitty gritty of the exact implementation as it will confuse a new reader.Ethereum accountsThere are two account types in Ethereum:Externally owned account (EOA). A public key that is owned by the user and a corresponding digital signature can be produced.Smart contract account. The address is associated with a computer progra...
Patrick McCorryWhy are cryptocurrencies interesting?
If there is a single takeaway from this article, then it should be that the field of cryptocurrencies is reviving the boring topic of database technology. We have always assumed the need to blindly trust an authority to manage and protect a database. But cryptocurrency has led to a paradigm shift as our community works on the pursuit to build a database that anyone can read, write and protect. How this is achieved is very interesting and simple. In this article, we consider it through the len...
Patrick has spent most of his adult life working on cryptocurrencies and his time was split across academic research and industry.
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Welcome to the Cryptocurrency Class of 2022.
UPDATED DATE TO MARCH!
Start date: 15th March 2022
Class time: 7pm - 9pm UK (GMT)
To date, we have had over 2,900 signups for the class. More information on the platform used to broadcast the class and facilitate interaction will be released closer to the time.
Over an 8 week period, we will cover the following topics:
Why cryptocurrencies are interesting from several disciplines
Structure of the blockchain and how cryptography plays a role
Network layer and information propagation
Building and breaking smart contracts
Can a monolithic blockchain design solve the scalability problem?
Scaling via bridges in a multi-chain world
Interoperability, repayment protocols, and the lightning network.
Past, present and future of smart contract applications
There is no accreditation for taking this course. Our goal is to help you build a foundation of knowledge and a small portfolio of projects. With this in hand, you can leap from Web2 to Web3 and help us build the future of finance.
Tutorials and coding exercises will be offered during the course. Our goal is to re-enforce the content that was covered during the class. The material will not be marked, but the solutions will be discussed at the start of the next class. Solution sheets will not be released.
Workshop-style course. I have prepared around ~1 hour of content for a 2 hour class that I believe will be useful. But ultimately, this is your class and I am here to answer your questions. Please interrupt at any time and ask lots of questions. Your goal is to stop me from finishing my slide deck.
More details can be found here alongside the signup form:
Welcome to the Cryptocurrency Class of 2022.
UPDATED DATE TO MARCH!
Start date: 15th March 2022
Class time: 7pm - 9pm UK (GMT)
To date, we have had over 2,900 signups for the class. More information on the platform used to broadcast the class and facilitate interaction will be released closer to the time.
Over an 8 week period, we will cover the following topics:
Why cryptocurrencies are interesting from several disciplines
Structure of the blockchain and how cryptography plays a role
Network layer and information propagation
Building and breaking smart contracts
Can a monolithic blockchain design solve the scalability problem?
Scaling via bridges in a multi-chain world
Interoperability, repayment protocols, and the lightning network.
Past, present and future of smart contract applications
There is no accreditation for taking this course. Our goal is to help you build a foundation of knowledge and a small portfolio of projects. With this in hand, you can leap from Web2 to Web3 and help us build the future of finance.
Tutorials and coding exercises will be offered during the course. Our goal is to re-enforce the content that was covered during the class. The material will not be marked, but the solutions will be discussed at the start of the next class. Solution sheets will not be released.
Workshop-style course. I have prepared around ~1 hour of content for a 2 hour class that I believe will be useful. But ultimately, this is your class and I am here to answer your questions. Please interrupt at any time and ask lots of questions. Your goal is to stop me from finishing my slide deck.
More details can be found here alongside the signup form:
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