In this session we will briefly review the fundamental ideas underpinning blockchain technologies and consider what problems its defining architectural characteristics make it suitable for.  We will get an idea of what it is like to work with blockchain technology by seeing the code for some simple “smart contracts” and how blockchain languages, like Solidity, are integrated into a modern continuous integration environment.

Blockchain finally appears to be shedding its image as an enabling technology for drug dealing to being the new technical solution looking for problems in every possible domain from diamond tracking, to securities clearing, to property registers to KYC customer checking. Everywhere you look new possible applications are being thought up, even if few have moved into serious use yet.

The attendees will leaving having an understanding of what a blockchain is and is not, an awareness of some of the more mature blockchain implementations, understanding the architectural characteristics of blockchain technology and some possible uses, and with some pointers on getting started with the technology and working with smart contracts.