106Course · Foundation

Hash Functions

The most-used cryptographic primitive.

The Course

The one primitive every blockchain uses in every block. This course covers the security properties, the birthday paradox, and Merkle structures with enough depth that the Scholar can read a state trie.

Outcomes
  • 01

    List the security properties of a hash function.

  • 02

    Explain the birthday attack.

  • 03

    Read a Merkle tree.

Prerequisites
  • Cryptography Foundations.
Pacing

~2 hours.

A Note from the Faculty

Merkle trees are the shape of every honest ledger.