How Python is powering Blockchain development

Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing a basic blockchain using Python:

Step 1: Define the Block Structure

import hashlib

import time

class Block:

    def __init__(self, index, previous_hash, timestamp, data):

        self.index = index

        self.previous_hash = previous_hash

        self.timestamp = timestamp

        self.data = data

        self.hash = self.calculate_hash()

    def calculate_hash(self):

        block_string = f”{self.index}{self.previous_hash}{self.timestamp}{self.data}”

        return hashlib.sha256(block_string.encode()).hexdigest()

Step 2: Create the Blockchain

class Blockchain:

    def __init__(self):

        self.chain = [self.create_genesis_block()]    

    def create_genesis_block(self):

        return Block(0, “0”, time.time(), “Genesis Block”)

    def get_latest_block(self):

        return self.chain[-1]

    def add_block(self, new_block):

        new_block.previous_hash = self.get_latest_block().hash

        new_block.hash = new_block.calculate_hash()

        self.chain.append(new_block)

Step 3: Test the Blockchain

blockchain = Blockchain()

blockchain.add_block(Block(1, “”, time.time(), “Block 1 Data”))

blockchain.add_block(Block(2, “”, time.time(), “Block 2 Data”))

for block in blockchain.chain:

    print(f”Index: {block.index}, Hash: {block.hash}”)