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title: Introduction / Glossary / Definitions

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# Introduction / Glossary / Definitions


https://metamask.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015489611

https://consensys.net/knowledge-base/a-blockchain-glossary-for-beginners/

https://developer.vocdoni.io/get-started/intro

###### tags: knowledge-database

# [Byzantine Fault Tolerance(BFT)](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/practical-byzantine-fault-tolerancepbft/) 


What is Byzantine Fault Tolerance? Byzantine Fault Tolerance(BFT) is the feature of a distributed network to reach consensus(agreement on the same value) even when some of the nodes in the network fail to respond or respond with incorrect information.

# [Tendermint](https://tendermint.com/)

https://ignite.com/

>  Your project deserves its own blockchain
>
> Ignite makes developing, growing, and launching blockchain projects faster than ever before. 

# [Proof-of-authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_authority)

Proof of authority (PoA) is an algorithm used with blockchains that delivers comparatively fast transactions through a consensus mechanism based on identity as a stake. The most notable platform using PoA are VeChain and Xodex.

# [Proof-of-Stake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_stake) 

Proof-of-stake (PoS) protocols are a class of consensus mechanisms for blockchains that work by selecting validators in proportion to their quantity of holdings in the associated cryptocurrency. This is done to avoid the computational cost of proof-of-work schemes. The first functioning use of PoS for cryptocurrency was Peercoin in 2012. 

# [Merkle tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkle_tree)

In cryptography and computer science, a hash tree or Merkle tree is a tree in which every "leaf" (node) is labelled with the cryptographic hash of a data block, and every node that is not a leaf (called a branch, inner node, or inode) is labelled with the cryptographic hash of the labels of its child nodes. A hash tree allows efficient and secure verification of the contents of a large data structure. A hash tree is a generalization of a hash list and a hash chain. 

# [zk-SNARK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-interactive_zero-knowledge_proof)

Zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge. First uses are the Zerocash protocol and Monero cryptocurrency.

Non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs are zero-knowledge proofs where information between a prover and a verifier can be authenticated by the prover, without revealing any of the specific information beyond the validity of the transaction itself. This function of encryption makes direct communication between the prover and verifier unnecessary, effectively removing any intermediaries. The core trustless cryptography "proofing" involves a hash function generation of a random number, constrained within mathematical parameters (primarily to modulate hashing difficulties) determined by the prover and verifier.

# [Ethereum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum)

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain with smart contract functionality. Ether (Abbreviation: ETH; sign: Ξ) is the native cryptocurrency of the platform. Among cryptocurrencies, ether is second only to bitcoin in market capitalization.

# [Web3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web3)

Web3 (also known as Web 3.0) is an idea for a new iteration of the World Wide Web which incorporates concepts such as decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics. Some technologists and journalists have contrasted it with Web 2.0, wherein they say data and content are centralized in a small group of companies sometimes referred to as "Big Tech". The term "Web3" was coined in 2014 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, and the idea gained interest in 2021 from cryptocurrency enthusiasts, large technology companies, and venture capital firms.

# [MetaMask](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MetaMask) 

MetaMask is a software cryptocurrency wallet used to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. It allows users to access their Ethereum wallet through a browser extension or mobile app, which can then be used to interact with decentralized applications. MetaMask is developed by ConsenSys Software Inc., a blockchain software company focusing on Ethereum-based tools and infrastructure.

# [Crypto faucet](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/what-is-a-crypto-faucet)

A crypto faucet is an app or a website that distributes small amounts of cryptocurrencies as a reward for completing easy tasks. They’re given the name “faucets'' because the rewards are small, just like small drops of water dripping from a leaky faucet. However, in the case of crypto faucets, tiny amounts of free or earned cryptocurrency are sent to a user’s wallet. In order to get free crypto, users need to complete tasks as simple as viewing ads, watching product videos, completing quizzes, clicking links (be careful!) or completing a captcha. 

# [Protobuf (Protocol Buffers)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protocol_Buffers)

Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) is a free and open-source cross-platform data format used to serialize structured data. It is useful in developing programs to communicate with each other over a network or for storing data. The method involves an interface description language that describes the structure of some data and a program that generates source code from that description for generating or parsing a stream of bytes that represents the structured data. 

# Distributed storage 

We have designed the Vocdoni primitives in a modular fashion, which allows us to incorporate more data layers in the future

## [IPFS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterPlanetary_File_System) 

Used in Vocdoni for storing auxiliary information. In a voting process, this includes information such as texts (questions, descriptions, and options), complementary images, as well as census. 

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a protocol, hypermedia and file sharing peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing data in a distributed file system. IPFS uses content-addressing to uniquely identify each file in a global namespace connecting IPFS hosts.

## Ethersphere Swarm

## DAT

## STORj

## Filecoin

