Textbook in PDF format

Distributed Computing to Blockchain: Architecture, Technology, and Applications provides researchers, computer scientists, and data scientists with a comprehensive and applied reference covering the evolution of distributed systems computing into blockchain and associated systems. Divided into three major sections, the book explores the basic topics in the blockchain space extending from distributed systems architecture, distributed ledger, decentralized web to introductory aspects of cryptoeconomics (cryptography and economics) of decentralized applications.
The book further explores advanced concepts such as smart contracts; distributed token mining, initial coin offerings; proof of work; public, private, and other blockchains; cryptography; security; and blockchains. The book goes on to review byzantine fault tolerance, distributed ledgers versus blockchains, and blockchain protocols. The final section covers multiple use cases and applications of distributed computing and the future directions for blockchains.
Traditional application development revolved around the client-server architecture. Centralized applications relied on compute-intensive servers with server side (Java, PHP, and Python) and client-side scripting (JavaScript, Angular, and React) as the predominant technology. Decentralized applications or DApps are open-sourced applications, running on peer-to-peer networks, with no central controlling entity. These applications are built on top of blockchain networks and utilize smart contracts to secure user data. While the data are kept secure through encryption, the record of data and transactions is kept completely public and transparent by storing it on the blockchain.
The main difference in the two architectures is that while the centralized applications run the backend on large, centralized web servers, the back-end code for DApps runs on decentralized peer-to-peer networks such as Ethereum (technically can be any other blockchain). Ethereum is being discussed here because they were the pioneer and its large-scale adoption. Also note that it is normally the transactional data which need to be captured irrefutably would normally go into the blockchain to keep the prohibitive costs in check.
Interactions between the DApp front end and the blockchain backend are routed using the APIs, such as the JSON-RPC (JSON remote procedure call, which is a lightweight RPC protocol). What is intriguing is that to the end user, a DApp may just appear identical in feel and functionality to a regular centralized application. It’s what is under the hood that makes DApps different. Technically, DApps can use any blockchain in the backend to store the transactions. But for a regular developer, it would be huge task to set up a blockchain from the scratch, then enable writing of smart contracts, and then build the application on top of that.
Presented as a focused reference handbook describing the evolution of distributed systems, blockchain, and consensus algorithms emphasizing the architectural and functional aspects
Integrates the various concepts of cryptography in blockchain and further extends to blockchain forensics
Provides insight and detailed Interpretation of algorithms for consensus in blockchains
Preface
Section A Evolution of distributed systems
1. Decentralized web, distributed ledgers, and build-up to blockchain
2. Decentralized everything: Practical use of blockchain technology in future applications
3. Distributed computing to blockchain: Architecture, technology, and applications
4. Types of blockchain
5. Blockchain types: A characteristic view
6. DApps: Decentralized applications for blockchains
7. Analyzing information flow in solidity smart contracts
8. Formal verification and code generation for solidity smart contracts
9. Blockchain consensus algorithms: Past, present, and future trends
10. A systematic study on the development of decentralized application (dApp)
11. AI, IoT, blockchain, and cloud computing: The necessity of the future
12. Functional analysis of blockchain consensus algorithms
Section B Blockchain architecture and security
13. Blockchain and forensics
14. Cryptography in blockchain
15. Ethereum blockchain platform
16. Hyperledger Fabric blockchain platform
17. An in-depth look at blockchain technology: Architecture and security concerns
18. Blockchain-based IoT security solutions
19. Cryptoeconomics
Section C Distributed computing
20. Distributed databases and distributed operating systems for blockchain
21. Demystifying blockchain adoption in financial sector—A critical analysis
22. e-Governance and blockchain-based data supply chain for used cars
23. Emerging trends of blockchain in bioinformatics: A revolution in health care
24. Blockchain’s potential to rescue sports: A social media perspective
25. Design and development of a mobile application for level monitoring of xygen cylinders using block chain technology
26. A futuristic approach to decentralize and authenticate workplace safety records leveraging on blockchain distributed ledger network
27. Designing business models through blockchain: A process of value creation