____ ______   ______ _____ ___  _   _ _____  __ 
  / ___|  _ \ \ / /  _ \_   _/ _ \| \ | |_ _\ \/ / 
 | |   | |_) \ V /| |_) || || | | |  \| || | \  /  
 | |___|  _ < | | |  __/ | || |_| | |\  || | /  \  
  \____|_| \_\|_| |_|    |_| \___/|_| \_|___/_/\_\ 

Cryptonix is a simple blockchain-based web application developed using C++, Javascript, Node.js, React.js, Firebase, and OpenSSL. The application is designed to provide a basic understanding of blockchain concepts such as transaction signing, Merkle trees, and a proof-of-work consensus algorithm. Users can create accounts, make secure transactions, view transaction history, and check balances, all hosted on a blockchain secured with cryptographic methods.

Table of Contents

• Features
• Technologies
• Setup and Installation
• Usage
• Blockchain Implementation Details
• Future Improvements

Features

• User Authentication: Users can sign up, log in, and securely access their accounts.
• Transaction Functionality: Users can make transactions, which are securely signed and verified.S
• Blockchain Integrity: Each block contains multiple transactions and is hashed using SHA-256, forming a secure chain with Merkle trees for efficient transaction hashing.
• Proof of Work: Blocks are added based on a proof-of-work consensus, which secures the chain by requiring computational effort to validate blocks.
• Transaction History and Balance: Users can view their transaction history and balance within the application dashboard.

Technologies

• Backend: C++ (core blockchain logic, transaction handling), Node.js (REST API)
• Frontend: Node.js (React for UI)
• Database: Firebase Firestore (user and transaction data)
• Cryptography: OpenSSL (SHA-256, signature generation and verification)
• Hashing and Consensus: Merkle trees and proof-of-work consensus algorithm

Setup and Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js and npm
• OpenSSL
• Firebase account for authentication and database setup

Installation Steps

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Rk1805/DSA_Project_BlockChain.git

2. Install Backend Dependencies:

   npm install

3. Install Frontend Dependencies: Navigate to the frontend directory and run:

   npm install

4. Configure Firebase:

   • Set up Firebase for user authentication and Firestore database.
   • Add your Firebase configuration in firebase.js.

5. Run Backend:

   npm start

6. Run Frontend:

   npm run dev

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Usage

1. Sign Up and Login:

   • Create a user account via the signup page.
   • Log in with registered credentials to access the dashboard.

2. Dashboard Features:

   • Make a Transaction: Specify recipient, amount, and initiate transactions.
   • Transaction History: View a history of previous transactions.
   • Get Balance: Check current balance based on transactions in the blockchain.

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Blockchain Implementation Details

• Merkle Tree: Each block contains a Merkle root of transaction hashes, ensuring integrity and efficient verification.
• Proof of Work: Blocks are added only after a valid proof-of-work hash is found, helping secure the chain.
• Transaction Signing: Transactions are cryptographically signed using OpenSSL, ensuring sender verification.
• Block Structure: Each block contains a previous block hash, Merkle root, and the current block’s transactions, forming a linked list structure.

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Future Improvements

• Implementing additional cryptographic mechanisms for enhanced security.
• Improving consensus efficiency and experimenting with other algorithms.
• Expanding functionality to handle multiple cryptocurrencies or digital assets.
• Adding an enhanced front-end UI for better user experience.

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This application provides a simplified but functional implementation of blockchain concepts, focusing on secure transactions and data integrity. For more in-depth details, refer to the individual files in each directory.

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