Bitcoin Primitives: Hash Functions
Mastering hash functions is essential to understanding how the BSV blockchain achieves security and data integrity. This beginner-friendly path breaks down complex concepts into clear, practical knowledge—no prior blockchain experience required.
Through seven focused courses and a quiz, you'll explore the fundamental role hash functions play in Bitcoin's architecture, from address generation to security models.
What You'll Learn
Core Concept: What hash functions are and why they're fundamental to blockchain security
Specific Functions: The hash functions used in BSV (SHA-256, RIPEMD-160) and their applications
Practical Application: How hash functions are used in BSV for addresses, transaction IDs, and block headers
Security Model: Why double hashing is used in BSV and the role hash functions play in BSV's security architecture
Encoding Systems: Base58 and Base58Check for human-readable representations
Practical Components
While coding knowledge isn't required, this path includes working examples in Go (Golang) to deepen your understanding. You'll see firsthand how hash functions enable efficient network scaling.
Note: Example code is provided in Go programming language. These examples aid understanding but are not required to complete the course. Some familiarity with command line environments and programming is helpful for the code examples, but not necessary for course completion.
Technical Prerequisites
No blockchain knowledge required
Basic familiarity with command line helpful but not essential
Optional: Go installation for running code examples
Installation of Supporting Libraries Quick-Start: GoLang
You can install Go for your operating system from the official Go website: https://go.dev/doc/install
Once you have Go installed, create a new directory and initialize a new Go module using the following command:
The examples are built from first principles, but if you'd like to use the SDK you can install it by running:
Learning Journey
Course 1: What are Hash functions? – Examine what hash functions are and the hash functions used in BSV
Course 2: Base58 and Base58Check – While not hash functions, these encoding systems are important for understanding how hash outputs are represented
Course 3: SHA256 – Examine Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA) and how it relates to the BSV Blockchain
Course 4: Walkthrough Implementation of SHA-256 in Golang – Step through a working implementation of SHA-256
Course 5: RIPEMD-160 – Cover RIPEMD-160 and its implication for BSV Addresses & WIFs
Course 6: Walkthrough Implementation of RIPEMD-160 in Golang – Step through a working implementation of RIPEMD-160
Course 7: Double Hashing and BSV's Security – Understand why BSV uses double hashing and its security implications
Who This Path Is For
This course is designed for developers, technical professionals, researchers, and anyone curious about the engineering principles that make BSV scalable and secure. Whether you're building on BSV or simply want to understand what sets it apart, you'll gain the foundational knowledge to engage confidently with the technology.
Once you complete the path with a score of 80% or more, you'll earn a Certificate of Completion to recognize your achievement and demonstrate your technical understanding of hash functions.
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