Introducing Blockchain with Lisp : Implement and Extend Blockchains with the Racket Language

Implement blockchain from scratch covering all the details with Racket, a general-purpose Lisp. You'll start by exploring what a blockchain is, so you have a solid foundation for the rest of the book. You'll then be ready to learn Racket before starting on your blockchain implementation. Once you have a working blockchain, you'll move onto extending it. The book's appendices provide supporting resources to help you in your blockchain projects. The recommended approach for the book is to follow along and write the code as it's being explained instead of reading passively. This way you will get the most out of it. All of the source code is available for free download from GitHub. What You Will Learn Discover the Racket programming language and how to use it Implement a blockchain from scratch using Lisp Implement smart contracts and peer-to-peer support Learn how to use macros to employ more general abstractions Who This Book Is For Novices that have at least some experience with programming, as well as some basic working experience with computers. The book also assumes some experience with high school mathematics, such as functions. Use this book to prepare for the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level Performance Testing exam. The book has been designed to follow the ISTQB syllabus, covering all of the syllabus learning objectives, with additional reference material extending beyond the syllabus. The book covers an overall methodology for managing and conducting performance testing.Performance testing has often been considered a black art. In many organizations, perhaps an individual or a small group of technical staff or contractors is given the task of “load testing” an extended system, network, or application. Performance testing is like any other form of testing. It follows a defined test process that is similar to other test types. It utilizes a disciplined approach to the definition of requirements and user stories, the creation of test conditions, test cases, and test procedures. It establishes measurable goals against which the success or failureof the testing can be judged. It also requires (and this cannot be stressed highly enough) a definition and recognition of performance test failures. Readers will gain the knowledge with both content and practice questions to prepare them for the ISQTB Performance Testing exam. The book covers the performance test types, the performance testing methodology, and the steps to plan, create, and execute performance tests and analyze the results. What You Will LearnUnderstand the basic concepts of performance efficiency and performance testingDefine performance risks, goals, and requirements to meet stakeholder needs and expectationsUnderstand performance metrics and how to collect themDevelop a performance test plan for achieving stated goals and requirementsConceptually design, implement, and execute basic performance testsAnalyze the results of a performance test and communicate the implications to stakeholdersExplain the process, rationale, results, and implications of performance testing to stakeholdersUnderstand the categories and uses for performance tools and criteria for their selectionDetermine how performance testing activities align with the software life cycle Who This Book Is For Those who want to achieve the ISTQB performance testing certification, testers and test managers who want to increase their performance testing knowledge, and project managers/staff working with performance testing in their project for the first time Table of Contents About the Author About the Technical Reviewer Preface Chapter 1: Introduction to Blockchain 1.1 Motivation and Basic Definitions 1.2 Encryption 1.2.1 Functions 1.2.2 Symmetric-Key Algorithm 1.2.3 Asymmetric-Key Algorithm 1.3 Hashing 1.4 Smart Contracts 1.5 Bitcoin 1.6 Example Workflows 1.7 Summary Chapter 2: Racket Programming Language 2.1 Introduction to Lisp 2.1.1 Data Structures and Recursion 2.1.2 Languages and Syntax 2.2 Configuration and Installation 2.3 Introduction to Racket 2.3.1 Primitive Types 2.3.2 Lists, Evaluation, and Quotes 2.3.3 Dotted Pairs 2.3.4 Adding Definitions 2.3.5 Procedures and Functions 2.3.6 Conditional Procedures 2.3.7 Recursive Procedures 2.3.8 Procedures That Return Procedures 2.3.9 General Higher-Order Procedures 2.3.10 Packages 2.3.11 Scope 2.3.12 Mutation 2.3.13 Structures 2.3.14 Threads 2.4 Creating an Executable 2.5 Summary Chapter 3: Blockchain Implementation 3.1 The wallet.rkt File 3.2 The block.rkt File 3.2.1 Construction 3.2.2 Hashing and Verification 3.2.3 Hashcash Algorithm 3.3 The utils.rkt File 3.4 Transactions 3.4.1 The transaction-io.rkt File 3.4.2 The transaction.rkt File 3.4.2.1 Digital Signatures 3.4.2.2 Processing Transactions 3.5 The blockchain.rkt File 3.5.1 Initialization 3.5.2 Rewards 3.5.3 Adding a Transaction 3.5.4 Verification 3.6 Integrating Components 3.6.1 The main-helper.rkt File 3.6.2 The main.rkt File 3.7 Summary Chapter 4: Extending the Blockchain 4.1 Smart Contracts Implementation 4.1.1 The smart-contracts.rkt File 4.1.2 Updating Existing Code 4.2 Peer-to-Peer Implementation 4.2.1 The peer-to-peer.rkt File 4.2.1.1 Peer Context Structure 4.2.1.2 Generic Handler 4.2.1.3 Server Implementation 4.2.1.4 Client Implementation 4.2.1.5 Integrating Parts Together 4.2.2 Updating Existing Code 4.2.3 The main-p2p.rkt File 4.3 Summary Conclusion Further Readings Appendix A: Macros Hygienic Macros Index