Blockchain Learning and Practice Handbook

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Blockchain technology, often described as a distributed database for recording and sharing information across a peer-to-peer network, forms the backbone of the value internet. Originally conceptualized in the 2008 Bitcoin whitepaper by Satoshi Nakamoto, the first block—known as the genesis block—was created in 2009, marking the beginning of the Bitcoin network.

Since then, blockchain’s shared-value system has inspired numerous cryptocurrencies, many of which have enhanced the original proof-of-work model with alternatives like proof-of-stake and the Scrypt algorithm. The ecosystem has rapidly evolved to include innovations such as Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), the smart contract platform Ethereum, asset tokenization models emphasizing "light ownership, heavy usage," and even the concept of blockchain-based governance.

Today, developers worldwide are building decentralized applications (DApps) and forming decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and communities (DACs), leveraging blockchain to transform industries.

This handbook documents a personal journey from scratch into blockchain technology. It emphasizes practical experience, conceptual clarity, and community learning, aiming to contribute to the broader understanding and development of blockchain systems.

How to Use This Handbook

Online Reading

You can read the handbook directly online at the dedicated web portal.

Local Development and Reading

To explore the content locally:

  1. Clone the repository to your local machine.
  2. Install GitBook using the official setup guide.
  3. Run gitbook serve in the project directory.
  4. Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:4000.
  5. Generated static files will be available in the _book directory.

Download eBook Formats

For offline reading, the handbook is available in PDF, ePub, and Mobi formats. These can be downloaded from the project’s GitBook page. Each download includes a timestamp of the last update. While GitBook hosts the content, the reading experience may sometimes be slow; the primary web URL is recommended for the most reliable access.

Generating eBooks

GitBook allows you to generate eBook files in several formats using simple commands:

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

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

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

To use these commands, you must have ebook-convert installed.

Installing ebook-convert

Linux Systems

Install Calibre using:

sudo apt-get install calibre

Some Linux distributions may require creating a symbolic link for Node.js:

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

macOS

After downloading and moving the Calibre app to your Applications folder, create a symlink:

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

If you encounter permission issues, configure your environment variables instead:

  1. Launch Calibre once to complete initial setup.
  2. Edit your shell profile (e.g., ~/.bash_profile):
export EBOOK_PATH=/Applications/calibre.app/Contents/MacOS
export PATH=$PATH:$EBOOK_PATH
  1. Reload the profile and verify the installation:
source ~/.bash_profile
ebook-convert --version

Once installed, you can generate PDFs and other eBook formats seamlessly.

Creating a Book Cover

You can add a custom cover to your eBook by including cover.jpg (1800x2360 pixels) and optionally cover_small.jpg (200x262 pixels) in the project’s root directory. The images must be in JPEG format, without borders, and feature clearly legible titles. The smaller version should preserve all critical text.

Alternatively, use the autocover plugin to generate a cover automatically.

Generating PDF Output

To generate a PDF, navigate to your project directory and run:

gitbook pdf ./ ./output_filename.pdf

The command supports output in ePub and Mobi formats as well. For multilingual handbooks, GitBook will generate separate files for each language.

How to Contribute

Submitting an Issue

If you spot errors, have suggestions, or need clarifications, please submit an issue through the repository’s issue tracker.

Making a Pull Request

For clear errors or logical improvements:

  1. Fork the repository and create a new branch.
  2. Make your changes and push to the branch.
  3. Submit a pull request after documenting the issue.

Contributing New Content

Documentation Guidelines

Adding a New Document

  1. Create the document in the appropriate topic directory.
  2. Add a link to the document in SUMMARY.md.
  3. Test locally using gitbook serve and verify the content appears correctly.
  4. Submit a pull request for review.

👉 Explore more blockchain development strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a genesis block?
The genesis block is the very first block in a blockchain. It is hardcoded into the software and serves as the foundation of the entire chain, having no predecessor.

How does proof-of-stake differ from proof-of-work?
Proof-of-work requires miners to solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions and create new blocks, consuming significant energy. Proof-of-stake, on the other hand, allows validators to create blocks based on the number of coins they hold and are willing to "stake" as collateral, making it more energy-efficient.

What are DApps?
Decentralized applications (DApps) run on a peer-to-peer blockchain network rather than centralized servers. They are open-source, operate autonomously, and store data cryptographically on the blockchain for transparency and security.

Can I contribute without coding experience?
Absolutely. Contributions like correcting typos, improving explanations, translating content, or suggesting structural changes are highly valuable. Submit an issue or fork the repository to get started.

What is GitBook?
GitBook is a modern documentation platform where content is written in Markdown and stored in Git repositories. It supports version control, collaboration, and multi-format output generation for web and eBook publishing.

How often is the handbook updated?
The handbook is periodically updated as blockchain technology evolves. The downloadable eBook versions include timestamps so readers can check the last update date.