Blockchain-Explorer

Blockchain Explorer is a complete blockchain prototype built in JavaScript made with the express purpose of providing an easy way to understand how blockchain technology works. User's can create network nodes, make transactions, mine new blocks (complete with a Proof of Work), view the chain, check the validity fo the chain via the Consensus Algorithm, as well as search for a specific node, transaction or block.

The frontend BlockChain Explorer is built to allow users to build and interact with the blockchain, as well as explaining what is happening in each tab.

Tabs reference different routes (located in networkNode.js) and methods/properties of the Blockchain data structure (located in blockchain.js). To get the most out of this app, please reference both files (thoroughly commented with explanations to how everything works) as you peruse the different portions of the page.

1. Clone the repo and start the network nodes:

 git clone https://github.com/D-Molloy/blockchain.git
 cd blockchain
 npm i
 npm run node_1
 (in a new terminal) npm run node_2
 ...optional...
 (in a new terminal) npm run node_3
 (in a new terminal) npm run node_4
 (in a new terminal) npm run node_5 

Notes:

• start at least two nodes
• the # in node_[#] correlates to the localhost # (i.e. node_1 === localhost:3001)
• npm run node_[#] scripts have been setup to start nodes on ports 3001-3005...feel free to add more by duplicating additional node_[#] scripts in the package.json
• note that you can use this over a network by replacing localhost in the package.json scripts property with your network IP address:

Change the script from localhost:

"node_1": "nodemon --watch dev -e js networkNode.js 3001 http://localhost:3001",

To your network IP address:

"node_1": "nodemon --watch dev -e js networkNode.js 3001 http://000.000.000.000:3001",

2. Open a browser tab and visit the localhost that correlates with the node (e.g. localhost:3001)

3. Follow the directions in the tabs of Blockchain-Explorer