Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies - Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document provides fundamental terminology for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
- ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www.iso.org/obp
- IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www.electropedia.org/
3.1
asset
anything that has value to a stakeholder
[Source: ISO/TS 19299: 2020, 3.1, modified - the note has been removed]
3.2
block
structured data comprising block data (3.3) and a block header (3.4)
3.3
block data
structured data comprising zero or more transaction records (3.79) or references to transaction records (3.79)
3.4
block header
structured data that includes a cryptographic link (3.16) to the previous block (3.2) unless there is no previous block (3.2)
Note: A block header can also contain a timestamp (3.75), a nonce (3.51), and other DLT platform (3.29) specific data, including a hash value (3.39) of corresponding transaction records (3.79).
3.5
block reward
reward given to miners (3.48) or validators (3.83) after a block (3.2) is confirmed (3.8) in a blockchain system (3.7)
Note: A reward can be in the form of a token (3.76) or cryptocurrency (3.14).
3.6
blockchain
distributed ledger (3.22) with confirmed blocks (3.9) organized in an append-only, sequential chain using cryptographic links (3.16)
Note: Block chains are designed to be tamper resistant and to create final, definitive and immutable (3.40) ledger records (3.44).
3.7
blockchain system
system that implements a blockchain (3.6)
Note: A blockchain system is a type of DLT system (3.30).
3.8
confirmed
accepted by consensus (3.11) for inclusion in a distributed ledger (3.22)
3.9
confirmed block
block (3.2) that has been confirmed (3.8)
3.10
confirmed transaction
transaction (3.77) that has been confirmed (3.8)
3.11
consensus
agreement among DLT nodes (3.27) that 1) a transaction (3.77) is validated (3.81) and 2) that the distributed ledger (3.22) contains a consistent set and ordering of validated (3.81) transactions (3.77)
Note 1: Consensus does not necessarily mean that all DLT nodes (3.27) agree.
Note 2: The details regarding consensus differ among DLT (3.23) designs and this is a distinguishing characteristic between one design and another.
3.12
consensus mechanism
rules and procedures by which consensus (3.11) is reached
3.13
crypto-asset
digital asset (3.20) implemented using cryptographic techniques
3.14
cryptocurrency
crypto-asset (3.13) designed to work as a medium of value exchange
Note: Cryptocurrency involves the use of decentralized control and cryptography (3.17) to secure transactions (3.77), control the creation of additional assets (3.1), and verify the transfer of assets (3.1).
3.15
cryptographic hash function
function mapping binary strings of arbitrary length to binary strings of fixed length, such that it is computationally costly to find for a given output an input that maps to the output, it is computationally infeasible to find for a given input a second input that maps to the same output, and it is computationally infeasible to find any two distinct inputs that map to the same output
Note: Computational feasibility depends on the specific security requirements and environment.
3.16
cryptographic link
reference, constructed using a cryptographic hash function (3.15) technique, that points to data
Note: A cryptographic link is used in the block header (3.4) to reference the previous block (3.2) in order to create the append-only, sequential chain that forms a blockchain (3.6).
3.17
cryptography
discipline that embodies the principles, means, and methods for the transformation of data in order to hide their semantic content, prevent their unauthorized use, or prevent their undetected modification
[Source: ISO 7498-2: 1989, 3.3.20, modified - the NOTE has been removed.]
3.18
decentralized application; DApp
application that runs on a decentralized system (3.19)
3.19
decentralized system
distributed system (3.32) wherein control is distributed among the persons or organizations participating in the operation of the system
Note: In a decentralized system, the distribution of control among persons or organizations participating in the system is determined by the system's design.
3.20
digital asset
asset (3.1) that exists only in digital form or which is the digital representation of another asset (3.1)
3.21
digital signature
data which, when appended to a digital object, enable the user of the digital object to authenticate its origin and integrity
[Source: ISO 14641: 2018, 3.17, modified - "digital document" has been replaced with "digital object"]
3.22
distributed ledger
ledger (3.43) that is shared across a set of DLT nodes (3.27) and synchronized between the DLT nodes using a consensus mechanism (3.12)
Note: A distributed ledger is designed to be tamper resistant, append-only and immutable (3.40) containing confirmed (3.8) and validated (3.81) transactions (3.77).
3.23
distributed ledger technology; DLT
technology that enables the operation and use of distributed ledgers (3.22)
3.24
DLT account
representation of an entity (3.34) participating in a transaction (3.77)
Note: A smart contract (3.72), digital asset (3.20), or one or more private keys (3.62), for example, can be associated with a DLT account.
3.25
DLT address
distributed ledger technology address value that identifies a DLT account (3.24) participating in a transaction (3.77)
3.26
DLT network
distributed ledger technology network of DLT nodes (3.27) which make up a DLT system (3.30)
3.27
DLT node
node
device or process that participates in a network and stores a complete or partial replica of the ledger records (3.44)
3.28
DLT oracle
oracle
service that updates a distributed ledger (3.22) using data from outside of a DLT system (3.30)
Note: DLT oracles are useful for smart contracts (3.72) that cannot access sources of data external to the DLT system (3.30).
3.29
DLT platform
set of processing, storage and communication entities (3.34) which together provide the capabilities of the DLT system (3.30) on each DLT node (3.27)
